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Tayebwa calls for deliberate plan to transform Karamoja amid hunger crisis
The development comes at a time when 16 people, according to the government, have succumbed to hunger due to a prolonged drought.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa chairing plenary. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
By: Mary Karugaba and Dedan Kimathi, Journalists @New Vision
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Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has expressed hope that the government is developing a deliberate programme to transform the Karamoja sub-region.
The Ruhinda North lawmaker made the appeal on July 14, 2026, while chairing plenary as Members of Parliament (MPs) debated the State of the Nation Address (SONA). The development comes at a time when 16 people, according to the government, have succumbed to hunger due to a prolonged drought.
Since April, which marks the start of the planting season, experts say crops have received little rainfall.
“Whenever I get colleagues from Karamoja, it touches you. Because Karamoja can be the food basket of not only Uganda but the whole region,” he said.
His comments were directed at concerns earlier raised by Pian County MP Remegio Achia (NRM), who said that while he appreciated President Yoweri Museveni’s contribution to the country’s development, including the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $3.6 billion forty years ago to $60 billion currently and helping reduce infant mortality and poverty levels, more work remains to be done in the sub-region.
“Whenever I get colleagues from Karamoja, it touches you. Because Karamoja can be the food basket of not only Uganda but the whole region,” he said.
His comments were directed at concerns earlier raised by Pian County MP Remegio Achia (NRM), who said that while he appreciated President Yoweri Museveni’s contribution to the country’s development, including the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $3.6 billion forty years ago to $60 billion currently and helping reduce infant mortality and poverty levels, more work remains to be done in the sub-region.
Achia added that while bad weather has affected most parts of the country, Karamoja is the worst hit. He said this is not the only challenge affecting the region.
“As we talk now, the vulnerabilities to weather are still persistent. We want to appeal to this country: Karamoja is now in a state of dire need of food. More than 9,000 people are affected. People are starting to die in Kotido, Kaabong and in some parts of Moroto,” Achia.
“There is still more to be done in Karamoja. In terms of monetary poverty, Karamoja stands at 74 percent, multi-dimensional poverty, Karamoja stands at 56 percent. We are the worst of all bad indicators, including infant mortality and life expectancy. I think we need to refocus and find a better strategy to address the challenges that face that part of the country,” he added.
Amid the challenges facing the region, Achia observed that “Karamoja constitutes ten percent of this country and now, it is starting to deliver to the rest of the country in terms of the country in terms of minerals. We already have four cement factories helping us; we have now got a clinker factory we don’t have to import; we have marble; we are getting materials for tiles.”
“As we talk now, the vulnerabilities to weather are still persistent. We want to appeal to this country: Karamoja is now in a state of dire need of food. More than 9,000 people are affected. People are starting to die in Kotido, Kaabong and in some parts of Moroto,” Achia.
“There is still more to be done in Karamoja. In terms of monetary poverty, Karamoja stands at 74 percent, multi-dimensional poverty, Karamoja stands at 56 percent. We are the worst of all bad indicators, including infant mortality and life expectancy. I think we need to refocus and find a better strategy to address the challenges that face that part of the country,” he added.
Amid the challenges facing the region, Achia observed that “Karamoja constitutes ten percent of this country and now, it is starting to deliver to the rest of the country in terms of the country in terms of minerals. We already have four cement factories helping us; we have now got a clinker factory we don’t have to import; we have marble; we are getting materials for tiles.”