Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has joined hands with the European Union in Uganda to amplify efforts of combatting food insecurity in the Karamoja sub regions.
This three-year project titled “Improving Food Security and Resilience of Food Production Systems in Karamoja” is worth 5 million euros (approximately 20 billion Ugandan shillings) aims to address critical barriers to food production in the Karamoja sub-region.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Under Secretary Mr. Ssegawa Ronald Gyagenda emphasized the urgent need to expedite the project’s implementation, citing significant delays since its initial planning in 2023.
“I implore all stakeholders involved to put maximum attention and effort into this project to ensure that we benefit the intended beneficiaries,” he stated.
The project will be implemented across selected sub-counties and parishes in all nine districts of Karamoja: Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Kotido, Moroto, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripiriti, and Napak. It is set to directly benefit at least 16,000 households and indirectly support around 80,000 individuals.
Karamoja faces multiple challenges, including insecurity, environmental degradation, and the impacts of climate change, which have led to low levels of food and livestock production.
The region’s 2023/24 crop production yields were significantly affected by prolonged dry spells, worsening food shortages and forcing communities to migrate in search of better living conditions.
Development partners in attendance included representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), European Union (EU), and the World Food Program (WFP), underscoring the collaborative effort to improve food security in the region.
