The government is set to begin stakeholder consultations within the next two weeks to develop a new strategy aimed at tackling poverty and transforming livelihoods in Karamoja, the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Esther Anyakun, has announced.
Anyakun said the consultations will bring together government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to develop what she described as a holistic approach to addressing the region’s long-standing development challenges.
“In one or two weeks from now, we shall be having stakeholder engagement meetings because we want to know how we should be able to eradicate poverty in Karamoja. It has to be a wholesome, holistic kind of approach. We cannot do it alone,” she said.
The minister said the engagements will involve the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister as government seeks to identify practical interventions that can accelerate development and improve the livelihoods of communities in the sub-region.
She said one of the government’s key priorities is transforming livestock production by supporting communities to transition from traditional nomadic practices to modern pastoralism.
“The President has asked us how we should be able to change the nomadism in Karamoja into modern pastoralism,” Anyakun said.
She explained that the government plans to improve access to water for livestock, promote better cattle breeds, increase milk production and strengthen markets for livestock products within Uganda and neighbouring countries, including Kenya and South Sudan.
“How should they be able to have cows that give them money, that give enough milk? How should we be able to have markets for our animals? How should we breed more cows?” she said.
Anyakun noted that the consultations will also examine challenges affecting agricultural production, including water shortages, before the government finalises its intervention plan for the region.
She called on residents of Karamoja to maintain peace during the ongoing dry season, warning that competition for pasture and water often contributes to conflicts as pastoralists move livestock into neighbouring districts.
“Let’s continue the peace that we are having right now. Government is coming in to respond to issues of drought,” she said.
The minister also encouraged farmers to embrace short-maturing crops once the rains return as part of efforts to improve food security and prepare communities for the next planting season.
“We know government is doing something to support the people of Karamoja, and we, the two ministers for Karamoja Affairs, are coming to support you through government transformation,” she said.
