The Ireland Ambassador to Uganda Gaynor Mags, said that triggered by early-warning systems and forecasts, these funds empower households to prepare by purchasing food, reinforcing homes, or evacuating livestock.
By Prosper Gibolo
World Food Programme (WFP) with funding from the government of Ireland has launched anticipatory cash transfers (ACTs) targeting over 35,030 beneficiaries from 7,296 households in the districts of Kotido and Kaabong to cushion the current hunger induced by prolonged drought
Under the two-month project launched in Rengen sub-county, Kotido District on June 24, 2026, each beneficiary will receive Shs 210,800 monthly.
During the launch, over eight hundred beneficiaries were handed over the cash which attracted a lot of excitement and gratitude from members who said some of them had spent many days without any single meal due to lack of food.
Among the category of beneficiaries are breastfeeding mothers, children under 5 years, the elderly, pregnant women, PWDs and people with chronic illnesses.
The Ireland Ambassador to Uganda Gaynor Mags said that triggered by early-warning systems and forecasts, these funds empower households to prepare by purchasing food, reinforcing homes, or evacuating livestock
He urged the beneficiaries to plan together as families on how to utilize the money to improve their livelihood.
The World Food Program Acting Country Director, Prior Marcus said that Karamoja has an Elnino brewing which is going to be un-usual and severe as predicted by the weather scientist in the country.
He said World Food Programme did not wait until the effects of this severe weather conditions strike hard on the community before they take action.
Titus Muhoya, the commissioner disaster management at the Prime Minister Office, commended the government of Ireland and World Food Program for supplementing government efforts in disaster response
He said that office of the OPM plays a role of coordination of all the agency, partners, NGOs in the country who have any donation for vulnerable communities.
Elijah Lobur Lokoribok the LC3 Chairperson of Rengen Sub county commended the government of Ireland and World Food Program for the timely response to the vulnerable communities in Karamoja Sub-region, whom he said are living in a sorrow state due to hunger.
He urged the community not to use the token of money received not to be used for drinking alcohol but should be rightly utilized.
However, some of the beneficiaries including, Lucaina Alice Lomuria, Veronica, Akeny, Nachu Kiyonga and Anna Grace Akongo said that they will use part of the money to buy household necessities like food stuffs, and brewing business.
