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UMSC delivers relief food to people in Karamoja
The relief supplies, consisting of 600 packages of foodstuffs and other essential items, were delivered to vulnerable communities in Kotido and Moroto districts on September 25, 2026.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) officials flag off relief food supplies for Karamoja. (Credit: Nicholas Kajoba)
By: Nicholas Kajoba, Journalist @New Vision
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The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has delivered relief food to vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region following prolonged drought and food shortages.
The relief supplies, consisting of 600 packages of foodstuffs and other essential items, were delivered to vulnerable communities in Kotido and Moroto districts on September 25, 2026.
Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje led the delegation to Kotido, while deputy mufti Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, together with second deputy mufti Dr Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, officiated at the delivery in Moroto.
The deputy resident district commissioner for Moroto, Toku Justine, expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their role in mobilising communities to surrender illegal firearms, a move he said had contributed to restoring peace in the region.
“It was indeed terrible during that time as the government faced an uphill task of disarming the people, as many lives were lost. But as religious leaders, you played a big role in advising locals to support the disarmament program,” he said.
On the food crisis in the region, Toku said the situation remained bad despite Government efforts to provide food relief. He said the Government could not address the crisis alone and needed to work with other partners, including religious institutions such as the UMSC.
The deputy resident district commissioner for Moroto, Toku Justine, expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their role in mobilising communities to surrender illegal firearms, a move he said had contributed to restoring peace in the region.
“It was indeed terrible during that time as the government faced an uphill task of disarming the people, as many lives were lost. But as religious leaders, you played a big role in advising locals to support the disarmament program,” he said.
On the food crisis in the region, Toku said the situation remained bad despite Government efforts to provide food relief. He said the Government could not address the crisis alone and needed to work with other partners, including religious institutions such as the UMSC.
Sheikh Ali Waiswa addresses Karamoja residents during the handover of relief food items. (Credit: Nicholas Kajoba)
Sheikh Ali Waiswa, who spoke on behalf of the mufti, said the UMSC felt it was within its mandate and responsibility to extend assistance to affected families, including children and the elderly.
“This is the beginning. We shall continue to mobilise for more foodstuffs, and we are also ready to share meaningful ideas towards curbing such natural disasters,” he said.
Sheikh Waiswa also pledged that the UMSC would continue working with the community to ensure that the challenges facing the region are addressed and turned into opportunities in the future.