Victory Outreach Ministry Rushes Food Aid to 300 Hungry Households in Kotido as Karamoja Crisis Deepens

LCC TV NEWS

KOTIDO, Uganda – In a timely humanitarian intervention, Victory Outreach Ministry has distributed emergency food relief to 300 vulnerable households in Lengen Sub-county, Kotido, as severe food insecurity continues to grip communities across the Karamoja sub-region.

The assistance, which targeted elderly citizens, persons living with disabilities, widows, and other marginalized families, comprised a package of 10 kilograms of rice and 20 kilograms of maize flour per household. The distribution exercise took place on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Rev. Johnson Ogema, team leader of Victory Outreach Ministry, stated that the church was compelled to act after witnessing distressing visual documentation depicting the dire effects of prolonged hunger, including reports of residents falling ill due to acute food shortages. He emphasized the Christian duty to support those in distress, noting that the ministry was motivated to share its blessings with communities enduring extreme hardship.

“We have a responsibility as believers to care for the needy. The images we saw moved us to respond, and we are grateful to be able to share what God has provided,” Rev. Ogema said.

Beyond the relief distribution, Rev. Ogema urged residents of Lengen and surrounding areas to leverage the current rainy season by intensifying cultivation efforts. He stressed that improving local food production is essential to mitigating hunger in the long term.

Kotido District Chairperson Paul Kamol Lotee commended the ministry for its swift and compassionate response, applauding its commitment to alleviating suffering. He appealed to other religious institutions and development partners to extend similar support, noting that many households remain in critical need.

“The situation is dire, and we welcome every intervention. We call upon more well-wishers to stand with our people during this difficult time,” Lotee stated.

Kotido District Woman Member of Parliament Nuria Hafsa Teki acknowledged the severity of the crisis, highlighting that leaders are actively engaging with the national government to tackle underlying issues, including water shortages and insecurity resulting from cattle raids, which have compounded the region’s vulnerabilities. She further attributed the escalating hunger to a prolonged dry spell that has devastated agricultural output and livestock livelihoods.

One beneficiary, speaking on behalf of the recipients, expressed profound gratitude to Victory Outreach Ministry, affirming that the food aid would sustain their family through the lean period. The beneficiary also committed to praying for the ministry in recognition of its generosity.

The food distribution comes as the Government of Uganda allocates UGX 45 billion for the procurement of relief supplies aimed at assisting drought-affected populations across the Karamoja sub-region. However, local leaders stress that sustained support and long-term recovery strategies remain critical to preventing further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.