The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Otuke, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 40 Karamojong have crossed into Otuke district in search of food. The group comprising women, young girls, and children from Kotido district have taken shelter at Okwongo Church of Uganda and Okwongo Primary School in Okwongo town council, Otuke district.
John Bosco Dagama Olwit, the Okwongo LCIII chairperson says the entry of Karamojong into the district is a big challenge considering the fact that Otuke is struggling with food shortage.
He is worried that the residents will run out of what to eat if they keep sharing the little they have with the Karamojong.
“We received a bunch of Karamojong people who told us they are running away from famine and they are looking for where to get food to eat. We have received them and given them a camping ground at Okwongo Church of Uganda and Okwongo Primary school and indeed they are in a very bad state and if the government does not come with immediate rescue, they will continue to die even from here.” Olwit said.
Simon Obong Opio, the LCIII chairperson Adwari sub county wants the district leaders to ensure that they return to their area since the government has started delivering relief food.
Jillian Akullo, the Otuke Resident District Commissioner has advised the Karamojong to return to Karamoja so that they also benefit from relief food.
“We are well aware that there is hunger everywhere and the presence of these people in our area which is not a camp is another challenge for us but as leaders, we welcomed them as human beings because we know hunger brought them. However, since the government is sending food to Karamoja, it is only fair that they go back to benefit from it because there is no food distribution in Lango,” she said.
Study shows that four in every 10 Karamojong have no food and several of them have already died from hunger with the most affected district being Kotido followed by Napak, Kaabong, and Moroto.
However, the government has earmarked 135.2 Billion Shillings to procure food to be distributed in Karamoja over the next three months.
*****
URN
