Agago District has received 68 tonnes of maize flour and 30 tonnes of beans from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to support households affected by prolonged drought and food shortages.
The relief was received by district leaders on Friday, as residents continue to struggle with crop failure caused by prolonged dry spells, with 12 persons already reported dead from hunger related complications.
UPDF soldiers under the command of Colonel Richard Watmon, Brigade Commander of 507 Brigade, were immediately deployed to guard the food supplies until they are distributed to the intended beneficiaries.
Moris Ocana, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Agago, says the latest consignment had arrived at a critical time as the dry spell continues to destroy crops planted for the second season.
He says residents had hoped that the second planting season would improve the food situation after poor harvests during the first season, but the continued lack of rain has dried crops in the gardens.
He urges farmers with access to irrigation equipment to begin using it to produce food.
Agago District Chairperson Wilson Otto says the relief had arrived at a time when the most vulnerable residents were facing severe food shortages. He lists pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, older persons and persons with disabilities among those most affected.
By URN
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