The Ugandan Parliament on Wednesday passed a motion urging the government to declare a state of emergency because close to 10 million people are at risk of starving.
This was after Kumi woman MP Monicah Amoding moved a motion seeking a resolution of parliament to urge government to declare a state of emergency over the worsening hunger crisis. 65 per cent of people in Karamoja sub region have one meal or half a meal in a day as opposed to three meals while 35 per cent of the population in the districts of Katakwi, Amuria, Kumi, Bukedea, parts of Serere and Kaberamaido are in the same phase with Karamoja sub-region.
The motion was seconded by Dokolo North MP Felix Okot Ogong and Kumi municipality MP Silas Aagon.
The motion indicates that government must intervene to save over 1.3 million starving people in different parts of the country.
Before the motion could proceed on the floor, the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga gave an opportunity to the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hillary Onek to address the MPs on how Government has handled the matter.
Onek said that out of the 141 billion shillings allocated to mitigate the hunger situation, only 10 billion shillings has been released.
Much as the motion received mixed reactions, there was a bipartisan agreement to move government to declare a state of emergency.
These were the views of some of the MPs representing the worst hit areas including Nakapiriprit woman MP Esther Anyakun, Isingiro south MP Alex Byarugaba Bakunda and others.
State minister for Agriculture Christopher Kibazanga recently 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.
