Uganda Begins Distribution of 9 Million Kilogrammes of Food Aid to Karamoja After 19 Hunger Deaths

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja flagged off the distribution of emergency food relief to vulnerable households in Uganda's Karamoja sub-region on 20 July 2026. AllAfrica reported that the operation follows at least 19 hunger-related deaths recorded across the area as of the previous weekend. Nabbanja said the intervention was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni.

The Office of the Prime Minister turned to the National Enterprise Corporation after private suppliers quoted higher prices. The corporation, the commercial arm of the Uganda People's Defence Forces, will supply all 9 million kilogrammes of food produced on its farms. Government plans to deliver the aid over the next two months to the nine districts of Karamoja.

Each household will receive 20 kilogrammes of maize flour and 10 kilogrammes of beans. Deliveries will go directly to parishes rather than sub-counties. Nabbanja directed district leaders to oversee the exercise in person.

She stated there would be no tolerance for diversion of supplies and that officials found responsible would face punishment. Minister of State for Relief Sam Engola said coordination among agencies allowed delivery within three days. He called for long-term measures including large dams for irrigation and silos for storage.

State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Esther Anyakun thanked the government for the swift response. Maj Gen James Mugira of the National Enterprise Corporation said the support aligned with the defence forces' mandate to contribute to national development. Prolonged drought has reduced crop production and left thousands of households without food.

In Moroto District, Vice Chairperson Stephane Adupa Namer said the ration may last only three days in households with four or more wives and many dependants. In Nawanatau Village, 75-year-old Lomongin Lomer, who cares for 20 people, said the government's allocation would be exhausted within days.