KAMPALA. Districts whose roads were budgeted for construction in this fiscal year may have to wait a little longer as President Museveni orders diversion of roads funds to tackle drought and hunger.
Mr Museveni while delivering relief food to people affected by prolonged drought in Kaliro District, eastern Uganda on Sunday, announced that funds meant to construct roads will be diverted to cater for millions on the verge of starvation in the country.
The President’s directive comes at the time when several districts like Kaliro, Iganga, Bukomansimbi, Isingiro and Karamoja among other areas are crying for what to eat after a prolonged drought destroyed the crops.
In Early November, State minister for Agriculture Christopher Kibazanga warned that Ugandans in 45 districts across the country were facing a food crisis and a disaster for the whole country was looming should the September to December planting season fail.
He said already over 1.3 million Ugandans need urgent food aid. He cited Singiro District where some people were reported to have starved to death.
Other bags of maize flour were sent to Teso sub region to prevent potential deaths from hunger and malnutrition related illnesses. Mr Kibazanga named sub regions of Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi, Bukedi, West Nile, and Cattle Corridor districts of Nakasongala, Isingiro, Luweero, Apac and parts of Busoga as areas facing severe food crisis.
The unusual dry spell devastating the country has been blamed on climate change brought about by among others things; deforestation, wetland degradation and burning of fossils into the atmosphere which warms the earth, according to environmentalists.
Mr Kibazanga also revealed that 50 per cent of the people of Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, Maracha, Arua, Zombo, Nebbi, Adjumani, Amuru, Nyoya, Gulu, Pader, Lamwo, Kitgum, Agago, Soroti, Ngora, Amolatar, Pallisa, Butaleja, Rakai, Isingiro and Tororo have access to a meal a day. The districts of Oyam, Apac, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Bulisa, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Mubende, Luwero, Kyegegwa, Sembabule, Kiruhura, Lwengo, Ntugamo, Kamuli and Kibuuku are in a minimal phase of food insecurity, meaning the people can still afford all meals though stocks are running low.
©Alleastafrica and Daily monitor
