Sudanese donate six tonnes of maize flour to Karamoja

By Leticia Kahubire

KAMPALA

The Sudanese community has donated over six tonnes of maize flour to supplement the Government’s ongoing efforts to support households experiencing food shortages due to a prolonged dry spell in the Karamoja sub-region.

The Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Esther Anyakun, received the donation at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday from Ms Ramia Rahama, team leader of Nafeer Karamoja, a humanitarian-focused initiative by the Sudanese community.

The Minister thanked the Sudanese community for the gesture, noting that the donation would go a long way in complementing the Government’s food relief distribution efforts in the sub-region.

“We thank everyone who has joined the Government in its efforts to support families experiencing hunger in Karamoja,” Hon. Anyakun said.

She explained that the Government had already distributed over nine tonnes of maize flour and beans to households in Karamoja, using Shs 45 billion approved by Cabinet for the food relief initiative.

She said the donation from the Sudanese community would further strengthen the bonds between the Sudanese and the people of Karamoja. The Minister added that the Government seeks to address recurring food shortages in the sub-region through the implementation of the Karamoja Regional Development Programme.

“The Government is currently undertaking the construction of several dams to improve water availability for livestock and agricultural production,” Hon. Anyakun added.

Ms Rahama said the donation was motivated by strong bonds of solidarity and mutual support between Ugandans and Sudanese.

“Uganda opened its doors to us when we were in a difficult situation. We have made this donation to demonstrate our solidarity. This is the first consignment, and we hope to deliver more,” she said.