news 8 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
FDC Declares Karamoja Hunger a National Emergency, Demands Action
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party is sounding the alarm over a severe hunger and malnutrition crisis in the Karamoja region, urging the government to declare it a national emergency and provide immediate relief. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/fdc-raises-alarm-over-food-insecurity-malnutrition-in-karamoja-5588112
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has called on the Ugandan government to officially recognize the escalating food insecurity and malnutrition in the Karamoja region as a national emergency. This urgent appeal comes in the wake of recent data indicating widespread acute food insecurity, affecting a significant portion of the region’s population.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, approximately 473,000 people in Karamoja faced acute food insecurity between April and July 2026. The situation is dire, with 41,000 individuals in the Emergency phase and 432,000 in the Crisis phase.
Furthermore, the IPC estimates that over 122,000 children under five years old are at risk of acute malnutrition between March 2026 and February 2027, with nearly 31,000 expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Districts like Kaabong and Kotido are particularly critical in terms of acute malnutrition among children.
FDC deputy spokesperson Richard Muyombya described the situation as a “full-blown humanitarian emergency,” stressing the need for immediate government intervention. The party is advocating for the urgent provision of food, clean water, and nutritional supplements, especially for vulnerable groups like children and lactating mothers. They also called for the deployment of mobile health clinics.
The FDC questioned the paradox of severe hunger in a region rich in natural resources such as gold, marble, and limestone, accusing the government of failing to honor its development promises for Karamoja. The party proposed long-term solutions including establishing permanent grain reserves, investing in irrigation, implementing school feeding programs, and enhancing livestock and mineral value addition.
While IPC projections suggest a slight improvement in food security later in the year, significant needs are expected to persist. This crisis has already seen at least 16 reported deaths due to acute food shortages linked to prolonged drought, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.