agriculture 9 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Museveni rolls out three-stage food security plan for Karamoja
President Museveni has launched a three-phase food stabilization strategy for the Karamoja region, aiming to reduce reliance on food aid by promoting climate-resilient crops and livestock initially, followed by irrigation and commercial agriculture. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-unveils-three-phase-food-plan-for-karamoja-5589842
President Yoweri Museveni has introduced a comprehensive three-phase plan designed to bolster food security in the Karamoja region, aiming to break the cycle of dependence on emergency food relief.
The strategy was unveiled during the 11th Karamoja Cultural Event in Moroto District and addresses the persistent challenges posed by drought and climate change. The initial phase will focus on providing households with climate-resilient seed varieties, such as sorghum, green gram, and white peas, which mature quickly and are better suited to the region’s dry conditions, while cautioning against over-reliance on maize.
In addition to crops, the short-term plan encourages the adoption of goat rearing and beekeeping as alternative food and income sources, leveraging the hardiness of goats to the local vegetation. Cassava and bananas are also recommended for cultivation in areas with better water availability.
The medium and long-term phases envision a transition from subsistence farming to modern commercial agriculture, with a strong emphasis on irrigation. President Museveni highlighted the need for significant water infrastructure development, including dams, to support agricultural activities. He also stressed the importance of protecting wetlands, which are crucial water sources, and warned against their encroachment for farming.
Karamoja Affairs Minister John Baptist Lokii welcomed the strategy, noting its potential to complement existing wealth-creation programs. He also requested a temporary delay in the recovery of Parish Development Model funds from beneficiaries in Karamoja to allow them to recover from the recent drought.
President Museveni further linked the region’s economic prospects to improved security, citing the recovery of approximately 41,000 illegal guns as a positive development. He also urged the community to conduct a “cultural audit” to identify and preserve beneficial traditions while discarding those that hinder progress.