More food needed for drought relief - Ecweru

The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru, has reiterated the need for more food to be supplied to different sub counties of Katakwi district.

Ecweru sympathises with an old woman who was very weak as a result of food shortage. Photo by Abraham Elapu

He made the remarks during the launch of food relief distribution in Toroma Sub County in Katakwi district.

Ecweru who witnessed how malnourished people were as a result of lack of food, said government should put its eye on the districts that have not received rains for months.

According to Ecweru, Katakwi, Soroti, Amuria, Kaberamaido, Kumi, Ngora, Serere and other districts in Teso have no rains that can support agriculture.

"I have never seen a situation like this one in Katakwi for some good time" Ecweru said.

He said he will talk to government so that maize flour and beans are brought to be distributed to the locals.

He said as part of government they are not going to look on while people die of hunger.

Ecweru who inspected gardens in Omodoi Sub County saw how crops were drying up as a result of prolonged drought.

Francis Otude the Ngariam Sub County LC3 chairperson said majority of the people in his area survived on water.

He added that this has made people grow thin and other die.

"We buried a 78-year-old woman two weeks ago over lack of food" Otude said.