By Julius Odeke

15^th Aug 2011:

File Photo: Vulture homes in on starving child

An acute food shortage has hit the district of Bulambuli with a total of over 13,500 people in the district going without food for days on end.  The looming famine in the district was caused by a long dry spell that caused many food crops to suffer stunted growth.

The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) and local Sub-County leaders visited many acres of land which had stunted maize crops.  Some people in the affected communities actually ploughed their land but never planted due to the dry spell.

The most affected communities are Bunambutye and Bwikhonge Sub-Counties which have 11, 000 and 2,500 people respectively.  Two weeks ago, the Office of the Prime Minister distributed 300 bags of maize and 100 bags of beans which have already been consumed.

During an assessment conducted by Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) and the chairpersons of Bunambutye and Bwikhonge Sub-Counties on
August 11^th, it was discovered that the communities in the affected areas did not harvest any substantial food stuffs this season.

Bulambuli and some other districts have been experiencing a dry spell since early May. The LC III Chairman of Bwikhonge Sub-County Mr Paul Michael Kimamati said during the assessments that they last received rain in April.  He said communities are now eating one meal a day.

He further noted that members of the community who have some little money at their disposal have resorted to buying food from nearby Sub-Counties which have not been affected by the draught, have more food, and therefore sell stuffs and cheaper prices.

According to URCS, the worst affected parishes are Bulemera, Buwabwala, and Bwekanda in Bwikhonge Sub-County.  Others are Buluguya, Bumufune, Bunanganda, Buwebele, Bushangi, and Bumasali in Bunambutye Sub-County.

Some farmers have already started cutting down the stunted food crops in order to plant cash crops like cotton in preparation for the next season that they hope will be much better.  The LC III Chairman of Bunambutye Sub-County Mr Geoffrey Khaukha said his area is the most affected in the entire district.

He added that whereas it is true that the Office of the Prime Minister distributed food in the affected areas, “…more urgent food supplies are still needed to avert a catastrophe”. The district has however started receiving some rainfall and as a result, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has brought in some seeds which will be distributed in the affected communities.

Before distribution, a final assessment [by URCS and the leaders of the affected Sub-Counties] will be conducted to identify the amount of seeds each family will be allocated.

Alex Walubengo, who was found planting cotton said, “…It has been a terrible season. I planted maize on my land which is 1 acre but I have
not harvested anything. The drought was too much. If we don’t get enough rains, even the cotton I have planted will not grow”.

URCS Secretary General Michael Richard Natakas said the Red Cross is implementing a food security and livelihood programme in Eastern and Northern Uganda which is aimed at alleviating challenges occasioned by famine.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.