Donors earmark sh39b for Karamoja food security

The Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry, through CARE International Uganda and its affiliate partners, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), has earmarked sh39.1b (euros 10m) to finance a five-year initiative aimed at boosting food production in the region.

The initiative dubbed ‘Catalysing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy diets and resilience' (CASCADE) targets to support over 1 million people in the region, most especially women and the youth to boost the production and marketing of nutritious foods.

Four Karamoja districts -- Kotido, Moroto, Napak, and Kaabong – shall benefit from the project.

The others include: Kitgum, Pader, Agago, Lamwo, Gulu, Adjumani, Amuru, Kabarole, Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo.

The programme director at CARE International Uganda, Micheal Opio, said the programme that was rolled out in Karamoja recently will supplement Government efforts already in place to address food security in the region.

“We shall work with community members to ensure that they engage in producing and marketing of nutritious foods within the communities and across the Karamoja sub-region,” he said.

Opio also said they are working with Kyambogo University to specifically modify local varieties of nutritious foods for climate suitability.

The donation comes against the backdrop of a scandal that has hit the Office of the Prime Minister in regard to relief items meant to benefit the region.

A list of government ministers who took iron sheets meant for the region for personal use has since been published by the media.