Karamoja leaders want more dams, better seeds for farmers

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Leaders from the Karamoja region have urged the government to invest in large-scale irrigation infrastructure to improve water availability for production and boost food security.

The region remains one of the most food-insecure areas in the country. According to the Food Rights Alliance, six out of every ten households are severely food insecure, with only 19% considered food secure.

In addition to water, the leaders are also calling for the provision of improved, early-maturing, and high-yielding seed varieties to support farmers.

These calls were made by leaders including Kotido district LC5 chairperson Paul Komol and Kotido Municipality mayor Irar Peter Abrahams.

"What we have are valley dams and just one mega dam that is currently under construction. But we need many," said Komol.

Leaders from Karamoja sub-region receiving walking tractors during a handover by FAO and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries at the National Agricultural Mechanisation Referral Centre in Namalere, Kawanda on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Irar added: "The seeds that farmers are using now are not healthy, they don't give a bigger harvest. We need good seed because the government is encouraging people to go into commercial farming, so we need quality things like seed."

The leaders made their appeal on Monday, April 14, at the National Agricultural Mechanisation Referral Centre in Namalere, Kawanda.

They are among a delegation from Karamoja sub-region receiving walking tractors on behalf of their communities, a donation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

A total of 15 walking tractors, along with their matching implements, will be officially handed over this afternoon.

Expected guests at the event include the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the FAO Representative to Uganda, Dr Antonio Querido.