Kaabong, Uganda | The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Sam Engola, has officially launched the distribution of more than one million kilograms of relief food across the Karamoja sub-region, warning that anyone found diverting or selling the supplies will face arrest and prosecution.
The exercise was launched at Kotome Primary School in Lodiko Sub-county, Kaabong District, where Engola flagged off the distribution to beneficiaries from Lopedo/Teuso and Kotome parishes.
Under the government intervention, each vulnerable household will receive 20 kilograms of posho and 10 kilograms of beans every month for the next two months to help families cope with food shortages and prepare for the second planting season.
Speaking during the launch, Engola said all relief food is clearly branded “Government of Uganda – NOT FOR SALE”, warning that any individual or official found selling, buying or diverting the food would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The minister thanked President Yoweri Museveni and Cabinet for approving Sh45 billion from the Contingency Fund to finance the emergency food relief programme, describing the intervention as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
Engola said the relief operation would provide critical support to households facing food insecurity across Karamoja while enabling families to focus on cultivating their fields during the upcoming second rainy season.
He also commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies for providing security during the distribution exercise to ensure the food reaches the intended beneficiaries.
The minister further acknowledged the contribution of humanitarian partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP), for complementing government efforts to address food insecurity in the region.
Among those present at the launch were the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Dr John Baptist Lokii, the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Esther Davinia Anyakun, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander and other political and security leaders.
Engola urged all leaders involved in the exercise to uphold transparency and accountability, stressing that the life-saving intervention must be implemented free from corruption to ensure every intended beneficiary receives the government support.
