MP Nyeko Johnson Kezekiya petitioned OPM for emergency food relief as Lamwo District battles severe hunger.
By Okidi Patrick
LAMWO, UGANDA–Lamwo County MP Hon Johnson Kezekiya Nyeko has petitioned the Office of the Prime Minister to urgently intervene with emergency food relief for hunger-stricken households in Lamwo County, citing acute food shortages that have left vulnerable residents at risk of malnutrition.
In a letter dated 23rd July 2026 to the Permanent Secretary, OPM, and received the same day, Mr Nyeko said the crisis has disproportionately affected children, older persons, expectant mothers and other vulnerable groups in the predominantly rural county.
“Families have exhausted their food stocks and are struggling to secure sufficient meals each day,” Mr Nyeko wrote. “The situation has placed them at increased risk of malnutrition and related health complications.”
The MP attributed the food insecurity to a combination of factors including erratic and below-average rainfall that disrupted planting, prolonged dry spells that led to poor harvests, and crop pests and diseases.
He added that widespread poverty, rising food prices, and pressure on land, water and other essential services due to the county’s proximity to refugee settlements have worsened the situation. With heavy dependence on rain-fed subsistence farming, successive poor harvests have left many households without alternative sources of food or income.
Hon Nyeko Johnson commonly known as “Man of Action” requested the OPM, through the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, to “urgently provide emergency food relief to the affected communities in Lamwo County in order to alleviate the prevailing hunger and safeguard the lives and wellbeing of the population.”
Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, the Minister of State for Relief, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Resident District Commissioner and the LC5 Chairperson of Lamwo District.
The appeal comes as Lamwo District is listed among the worst Districts suffering from severe hunger in East Acholi including Pader, Kitgum and Agago.
Many residents who talked to our reporter from Padibe town council, Paloga, Agoro and Potika sub-County said immediate intervention is needed to prevent the hunger situation from worsening ahead of second season.
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