Tolit Ivan & Agency
Drought and crop failure in northern Uganda have left at least 23 people dead from hunger-related illnesses in Acholi sub county.
In Lamwo District, Oyet Sisto Ocen, the District LCV Chairperson, said at least eight people died from complications related to severe malnutrition, adding that 477 people, including children, pregnant women and the elderly, remain hospitalized at the various health facilities across the district.
The victims, including children and the elderly reportedly died at Padibe Health Centre IV and Madi Opei Health Centre IV, where they had been rushed.
In the eighboring Agago District, at least 15 people have reportedly died from hunger-related illnesses, while 351 others have been hospitalized with acute malnutrition across 43 health facilities following prolonged food shortages.
On Monday leaders from the Acholi sub-region appealed to the government to urgently provide food relief to communities whose livelihoods have been devastated by a prolonged dry spell that has crippled agricultural production and heightened the risk of hunger.
Speaking at a joint press briefing convened by District Chairpersons from the Acholi sub-region in Gulu City, Kitgum District Chairperson Tony Blair Toolit said the prolonged dry spell has had severe social, economic and health impacts on communities.
Nwoya District Chairperson Patrick Okello Oryema called on the government to further subsidize the cost of irrigation equipment to help farmers adapt to the growing effects of climate change.
In response to the drought, the Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, has allocated UGX 50 billion to provide emergency food relief to households affected by severe food shortages in different parts of the country.
