Karamoja Faces Devastating Drought, Thousands Starving

The Karamoja Sub-region is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis as an unrelenting drought, spanning five months from late May to October 2026, has devastated the agricultural sector. Local officials report that approximately 98% of crops have been wiped out, representing a staggering financial loss estimated at Shs56 billion.

The dire consequences of this prolonged dry spell are most acutely felt in Kotido District, where at least 19 individuals have reportedly succumbed to hunger across five sub-counties. This situation highlights the critical food insecurity gripping northeastern Uganda.

In response to the escalating emergency, a delegation comprising representatives from the United States Mission, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) undertook a visit to Kotido on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The purpose of their visit was to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the disaster’s magnitude and to evaluate the effectiveness of current relief efforts.

The depletion of traditional support systems further exacerbates the crisis, leaving vulnerable communities with few options. The scale of crop failure suggests that the region will face a prolonged period of food scarcity, necessitating urgent and sustained humanitarian assistance.