Church of Uganda donates food items to Karamoja

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The Church of Uganda (COU) has donated food relief items to over 2,000 people affected by food insecurity in Karamoja sub-region.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday (August 18), COU Archbishop Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba flagged off the emergency food relief distribution exercise in North Karamoja Diocese on Tuesday.

The relief consignment included 45,775 kilogrammes of posho, 45,775 kilogrammes of beans, 800 kilogrammes of soya beans and 400 kilogrammes of silver fish, targeting more than 2,000 beneficiaries affected by food insecurity.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda (COU), Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba, handing over a bag of posho to one of the affected persons in the Karamoja sub-region. (Courtesy photo)

According to the church, the intervention follows a request by the Bishop of North Karamoja Diocese, Rt. Rev. Simon Akol Aisu, to the COU Board of Trustees during the bishops' retreat in Masaka last month.  North Karamoja Diocese covers Kotido, Kaabong, Abim and Karenga districts.

The flag-off event for the food items was attended by political and religious leaders.

Speaking during the flag-off, Kaziimba said the prolonged hunger crisis has caused severe hardship among families in Karamoja sub-region, with children particularly exposed to the risk of malnutrition.

“As a Church, we cannot remain indifferent. We are here today because we believe that Christian compassion must be translated into direct, decisive action,” Kaziimba said.

 Kaziimba commended ACT Alliance and the participating COU Dioceses of Mukono, Kampala, Kigezi, West Buganda, Namirembe, Muhabura, Central Busoga and Soroti, as well as other institutions, partners and Christians who contributed towards the response.

ACT Alliance is a global coalition of faith-based organisations working together on humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy for marginalised communities worldwide.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda (COU), Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba, flagging off the emergency food relief distribution. (Courtesy photo)

Archbishop Kaziimba tasked those involved in the distribution of the relief items to ensure that the food reaches the intended beneficiaries fairly and transparently, with no discrimination along religious and tribal lines.

He further called for long-term interventions beyond emergency food relief, including support to local farmers, climate-smart agriculture, reliable irrigation systems, and improved climate-related emergencies.

 “I appreciate government and development partners for the ongoing intervention in Karamoja, and I appeal for continued support towards vulnerable communities,” Kaziimba said.

ACT Alliance Country Coordinator Irene Anena reaffirmed the Alliance's commitment to work with the Church and other partners in responding to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities.

She underscored the importance of coordinated humanitarian action in addressing immediate food needs, while strengthening the resilience of affected communities.

According to Rev. Andrew Agaba, the Director of Household and Community Transformation, the intervention will continue to support more communities in Karamoja.