By Brandon Moss

The Ugandan government has launched an emergency food relief programme to support thousands of families in the drought-stricken Karamoja sub-region, where prolonged dry conditions have severely affected agricultural production and food security.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced that approximately 9.4 million kilograms of maize flour and dry beans will be distributed to 313,987 households across 480 parishes in Karamoja’s nine districts. The intervention is aimed at assisting communities whose crops have failed following an extended dry spell.

Officials said the prolonged drought has depleted household food supplies, reduced agricultural output and increased the risk of hunger across one of Uganda’s most vulnerable farming regions. The government has urged local leaders to ensure the relief food reaches the intended beneficiaries while additional long-term resilience measures are implemented.

Karamoja has experienced recurring climate-related challenges in recent years, with erratic rainfall continuing to threaten crop production and livestock farming. The region relies heavily on agriculture and pastoralism, making it particularly vulnerable to prolonged droughts.

Beyond the emergency response, Uganda plans to strengthen climate resilience through improved agricultural support programmes, better water management and measures designed to help farming communities adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Government officials say these long-term investments will be critical to improving food security and reducing the impact of future climate shocks.