URN
The Catholic Church in Masaka Diocese has launched an emergency humanitarian appeal, calling on the public to support communities in the Karamoja sub-region that are struggling with severe food shortages following a prolonged drought.
In a pastoral letter addressed to deans, parish priests, heads of diocesan institutions, the Laity Commission and other well-wishers, the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Severus Jjumba announced that the diocese will dedicate one month to mobilising relief for the people of Karamoja.
Bishop Jjumba said the initiative is intended to demonstrate Christian solidarity with families facing hunger and hardship after widespread crop failure caused by an extended dry spell.
He noted that the appeal falls within the Church’s commitment to standing with vulnerable communities during times of crisis and urged Catholics and other well-wishers to contribute generously.
“As a diocese and the congregation of the faithful, we are challenged to support our brothers who are in need. This is a divine responsibility that we are all called upon to undertake,” Bishop Jjumba said.
To coordinate the fundraising campaign, Bishop Jjumba appointed the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Rev. Fr. James Ssendege, and the Director of Caritas Masaka Diocesan Development Organisation (MADDO), Rev. Fr. Gonzaga Kiyimba.
According to URN, the diocese has requested that all donations be made in monetary form to facilitate efficient procurement and delivery of relief assistance to the affected communities. “Logically, all the support should be contributed in monetary form, which will easily be delivered to the targeted beneficiaries,” the pastoral letter states.
The appeal comes amid growing concern over the humanitarian situation in Karamoja, where thousands of households are experiencing acute food insecurity after consecutive seasons of poor rainfall led to widespread crop failure.
Many families are reportedly surviving on wild foods, while others have been forced to leave their homes in search of food and water.
The Church’s intervention follows a recent government response to the crisis.
On July 11, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Minister of Finance to release Shs45 billion from the Contingency Fund to finance emergency famine relief operations in the region.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the President said he had received reports highlighting the worsening drought and famine conditions in Karamoja and called for immediate government intervention to avert further suffering.
Beyond emergency food relief, President Museveni also instructed the Prime Minister to work with the Ministers of Agriculture and Water and Environment to revive plans for the construction of the Nakiloro Water Reservoir in Moroto District.
The proposed irrigation project is intended to improve agricultural production and help end the recurring cycle of drought-induced famine that has affected Karamoja for decades.
Karamoja remains one of Uganda’s most climate-vulnerable regions, with erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and limited irrigation infrastructure continuing to undermine food production and livelihoods.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that without sustained investment in climate resilience, irrigation and water storage, the region will remain susceptible to periodic food crises despite emergency relief interventions.
