Uganda’s Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Florence Nambozo and Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong at the handover ceremony of China rice aid in Kampala, Uganda, on 26 March (COURTESY)

A friend in need is a friend indeed, said Thomas Lokirut, an elder from Uganda’s Karamojong people after learning that China had donated 1,610 tonnes of rice to his people.  

“The Chinese have proved that they are our true friends by donating food to us at this trying moment, when most of the people in the Karamoja sub-region have no food to eat,” he told ChinAfrica. 

Drought brings hunger 

The Karamoja sub-region is located in the country’s northeastern part, about 458 km from the country’s capital Kampala. The vast expanse of the sub-region is normally arid and dry, but recently it became more barren due to the severe drought that has plagued the area since mid-2024. 

“Even in the past, Karamoja has been grappling with food shortages due to prolonged dry spells, low agricultural yields, and poverty; but this time the drought has been longer than in the past years, making the situation unbearable,” Frank Tumwebaze, minister of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, said during a media interview in Kampala. 

He said that the usually resilient Karimojong people, known for their rich cultural heritage and nomadic lifestyle, have since late last year been struggling to survive. 

As the long drought took its toll, the Karimojong people found themselves facing a severe food crisis. Crops had withered and died, livestock had perished, and the people were left in a dire state with little to eat. 

It was against this backdrop of desperation that local leaders appealed to the government for help. 

Calls for government help 

During one of the parliament sessions in late February, members of parliament from the Karamoja sub-region appealed to the government to intervene immediately by supplying food to impacted households. 

Hilary Lokwang, member of parliament for Ik constituency in Karamoja, said that the situation on the ground in Karamoja was critical because some people were dying from hunger. 

On 1 March, Florence Nambozo, minister of state for Karamoja affairs, said that the food crisis was persisting in Karamoja, with over 500,000 people facing food insecurity and high malnutrition rates, particularly among children under five.  

She said that faced with such a situation, the government of Uganda had requested assistance from China. 

Chinese aid 

On 26 March, the Chinese government responded to Uganda’s request by donating 1,610 tonnes of rice worth $2 million to feed the vulnerable people of Karamoja. 

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong personally handed over the rice to officials from Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister, led by Nambozo who represented Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warehouses in the country’s capital Kampala. 

Nambozo read the prime minister’s speech verbatim. In the speech, the prime minister expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the timely support. 

Speaking on behalf of Nabbanja, Nambozo said Uganda is grateful to China for its swift response and the love that has been shown to the country. “It will go a long way in supporting our people in Karamoja. This assistance comes at a critical time as we work to mitigate the impact of climate change and food insecurity in the region,” said Nambozo. 

Ambassador Zhang said that the donation was in response to a request from the Office of the Prime Minister, which had sought food assistance for the Karamoja sub-region. Zhang stated that in response to the Ugandan government’s request, China decided to launch an emergency food assistance project by providing rice to the Karamoja sub-region. 

“We are always ready to help where necessary. Now it is Karamoja’s lean season, perhaps the hardest time for villagers affected by food insecurity. I hope the timely distribution of this rice will alleviate some of the hardships faced by the local people. China will continue to stand with Uganda in its fight against hunger and food insecurity and will keep supporting Uganda’s development goals,” he said. 

Zhang added that it is the practical demonstration of the Chinese government’s commitment to assisting Africa in addressing food security issues, mentioning the announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping to jointly promote modernisation and implement 10 partnership actions with African countries during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.  

“China will continue to support Uganda’s economic and social development and deepen cooperation with Uganda in various fields,” said Zhang. 

Local appreciation 

The distribution process of the rice into the far corners of the sub-region by trucks began two days after the handover ceremony by the Chinese ambassador. Most of those who have received the rice hailed China for its generosity. 

One of the recipients is Grace Akech, a young mother. She said that she had been struggling to feed her family for months, and the rice donation was a godsend. “This rice will help us survive until the next harvest season,” she said. 

Another recipient is James Lokol, an elderly farmer. He lost livestock in the drought and was struggling to make ends meet. “I was beginning to lose hope, but this rice donation has given me new life. I can now feed my family and rebuild my livelihood,” he said. 

It is clear that the Chinese government’s donation is not just a gesture of goodwill, but a lifeline for the people of Karamoja. “The rice will not only help to alleviate the immediate hunger crisis, but it will also provide a foundation for long-term recovery and development,” said George Tukei, a police official in Karamoja. 

“The Chinese government’s donation is a testament to the strong relationship between China and Uganda,” said Abraham Lokwi, a high school teacher in Karamoja’s main town of Moroto.  

His sentiment was echoed by Emmanuel Komol, member of parliament for Dodoth East constituency in Karomoja. “The Chinese government’s donation of rice to the Karimojong people is a remarkable act of kindness and generosity. It is a testament to the power of humanitarian aid,” he said.