The minister for Karamoja Affairs pleads for a proper plan for future action interventions to combat food insecurity in the Karamoja region and neighboring areas.

Speaking with our reporter in Katakwi, John Baptist Lokii, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs and Member of Parliament for Matheniko County, praised the Government of Uganda for stabilizing security in Karamoja and neighboring districts of Teso, Lango, and Acholi, which has resulted in remarkable regional peace, allowing the region to shift into a transformation agenda.

According to him, while Karamoja and its neighboring regions of Teso, Lango, and Acholi have experienced peace and stability, the region has continued to experience food insecurity as a result of a long drought and crop failure caused by unpredictability of weather patterns.

Furthermore, Lokii praised the government's effort to inject Ugx 45 billion from a contingency account to aid in the purchase of food relief for the people of Karamoja and neighboring regions. However, Lokii emphasized that the intervention came as many households across Karamoja struggled, but the region continues to grapple with several food shortages caused by prolonged drought and repeated crop failure, leaving millions of people malnourished, while others rely on humanitarian

He emphasized that, in addition to relief distribution, the government should invest in long-term food security initiatives such as borehole drilling, solar-powered irrigation systems, drought-resistant input distribution, and the establishment of demonstration farms where farmers can be trained in modern agricultural practices.

The minister emphasized that the prolonged drought has devastated livelihoods throughout the region, with even the few farmers who planted crops suffering losses after wild animals destroyed their gardens.

Lokii praised the peace and security that has facilitated development in the region, noting that many government programs, such as PDM, Emyooga, Youth and Women Funds, among others, have been extended to various areas as a result of the government's stable peace, propelling the region forward.


The minister has condemned certain politicians from both Karamoja and Teso for promoting division and spreading messages of hatred, which has led to discord between the two regions. He emphasized that these leaders should be held accountable and face legal consequences for instigating such division and animosity.

He highlighted the recent incidents that circulated on social media over the so-called government plan to distribute the Karimojong’s to Teso because hunger would instigate division and blood pour among the same ethnic groups that he described as uncalled for rather than building peace and a team spirit for the development of the two regions.

He urged the Karamojong and Iteso to live in harmony and work together to restore their shared heritage as members of the same ethnic group that originated from Abisinia.