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By Dickens Aruca, Radio Wa, Lira Diocese
The Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dominic Eibu, has called on the government to invest in irrigation systems in the Karamoja sub-region to help communities overcome recurring food shortages caused by prolonged dry spells.
Bishop Eibu made the appeal during a courtesy visit to St. Peter Anai Catholic Parish in Lira Diocese on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as he returned from pastoral engagements in Kampala. He also used the visit to express gratitude to Lira Diocese for its support to hunger-affected communities in Karamoja through donations of food items.
The assistance followed appeals by Kotido and Moroto dioceses for support as communities in the region faced worsening food shortages.
Karamoja has experienced prolonged dry conditions since May this year, with little or no rainfall reported in some affected areas. The situation has raised concerns over food security and threatened the livelihoods of communities that largely depend on rain-fed agriculture.
Irrigation as a long-term solution
Bishop Eibu acknowledged the importance of food donations in providing immediate relief to families struggling with hunger but noted that such interventions cannot sustain communities over an extended period.
He said establishing irrigation systems would enable farmers to continue growing crops even during periods of limited rainfall, reducing their dependence on seasonal weather patterns.
The bishop urged the government to prioritise investment in irrigation infrastructure as a long-term intervention to strengthen food security, improve household livelihoods and protect communities against the effects of drought.
He emphasised that while emergency food assistance remains important during periods of crisis, sustainable agricultural interventions are necessary to address the underlying causes of recurring hunger in Karamoja.
Appreciation to lira diocese
Bishop Eibu also expressed gratitude to Lira Diocese for responding to the appeal for food assistance, saying the donations would help support communities affected by hunger in the neighbouring region.
He further thanked the Christians of St. Peter Anai Catholic Parish for turning up in large numbers to welcome him, describing their reception as a demonstration of joy and Christian fellowship.
The visit provided an opportunity for the bishop to acknowledge the solidarity shown by the Church in Lira towards communities facing difficult conditions in Karamoja.
Bishop Eibu’s appeal underscores the need to complement emergency food donations with long-term interventions that can strengthen agricultural production and help communities withstand prolonged dry spells.
Investment in irrigation, he noted, could provide farmers with a more reliable means of producing food and reduce the region’s vulnerability to recurring drought and hunger.
END