Kampala, Kasana-Luweero Dioceses Donate 11 Tonnes of Food to Hunger-Stricken Karamoja

The Catholic Dioceses of Kampala and Kasana-Luweero have donated 11 tonnes of food relief to hunger-stricken communities in Karamoja, with CARITAS Uganda warning that more support is needed to address the region’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

KAMPALA — The Catholic Dioceses of Kampala and Kasana-Luweero have donated 11 tonnes of food to support communities affected by severe hunger in the Karamoja sub-region, with the first consignment headed to the Diocese of Moroto.

The relief supplies, comprising rice, maize flour, sugar and other food items, were dispatched from the Uganda Episcopal Conference headquarters in Nsambya as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts coordinated by CARITAS Uganda.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Rev Fr John Peter Musumba of CARITAS Uganda said the donation, although significant, remains insufficient compared to the scale of the crisis facing communities in Karamoja.

“The food we are sending is still too little compared to the suffering people in Karamoja are going through. Today, a truck carrying 11,000 kilograms of food donated by the Dioceses of Kampala and Kasana-Luweero has set off for Moroto Diocese to provide relief to those affected,” Fr Musumba said.

He said prolonged drought has severely affected the region, causing widespread hunger and loss of lives, and called on Ugandans to support ongoing relief efforts.

Fr. Musumba also commended the Archbishop of Kampala, Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, for making a personal contribution towards the humanitarian initiative.

“We are grateful to Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, who personally donated 1,000 kilograms of sugar, 1,000 kilograms of maize flour and 425 kilograms of rice to support our brothers and sisters in Karamoja,” he said.

While acknowledging the importance of food assistance, Fr. Musumba said communities in Karamoja also face significant healthcare challenges, urging the government and humanitarian organisations to strengthen medical services in the region.

“The people of Karamoja do not only need food. They also urgently need better healthcare. We call upon the government and humanitarian organisations to strengthen medical services for the affected communities,” he said.

He further called on government and development partners to implement long-term interventions tailored to the region’s needs, saying sustainable solutions are necessary to address recurring food insecurity.

“We appeal to the government and all well-wishers to develop sustainable solutions for Karamoja so that this cycle of hunger can come to an end,” Fr. Musumba added.