You feed refugees as we die!

Karimojong turn up the heat on government

Karimojong Women desperately dig their scorched ground to prepare for planting even though the anticipated rains are not forthcoming. The prolonged drought in Karamoja has left many in the subregion starving. Now their leaders say the government is not doing enough

From their largely remote enclaves in north eastern Uganda the Karimojong are coming out fighting. They can’t tolerate anymore a situation akin to a mother feeding visitors while her children starve.

A Member of Parliament (MP) from Karamoja has accused the Uganda government of neglecting its own people, instead looking after refugees while the Karimojong die of hunger.

Samson Lokeris, the MP Dodoth East, Kabong Distict, and Chairperson Karamoja Parliamentary Group, says while government can borrow money to look after refugees, it cannot do the same to supply sufficient water for people and animals in Karamoja.

Uganda is one of the most favourable places in the world for refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Above food relief, Uganda gives them land, education and even allows them to set up businesses.

Karamoja has faced a long dry spell that has left many without food. The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in February declared the region food insecure, with up to 65 percent of the population only accessing one or half a meal a day.

Speaking rece

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