The Ugandan government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has distributed 19,833 hand hoes to households in Karenga District in a move aimed at boosting agricultural production, improving household incomes and combating poverty and food insecurity.
Each household is expected to receive one hand hoe under the programme, with the agricultural tools valued at approximately SHS297.5 million. The hoes were delivered by MAAIF to the district headquarters ahead of the distribution exercise.
The distribution was officially launched in Kapedo Sub-county by the Minister of Ethics and Integrity and Karenga District Woman MP, Akello Rose Lilly, who presided over the initial handover to beneficiaries in Kapedo Parish.
The exercise is expected to extend to Kakwanga, Kawalakol, Labalangit, Sangara, Karenga and Lakori sub-counties, as well as Kapedo, Karenga and Kidepo town councils, covering seven sub-counties and three town councils.
Speaking during the launch, Akello said the initiative was intended to strengthen household agricultural production, improve food availability and provide communities with practical tools to overcome poverty.
“Please use the hoes to increase productivity and fight poverty,” she urged beneficiaries.
She thanked President Yoweri Museveni for supporting government empowerment initiatives targeting communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
Akello also used the occasion to call on parents to prioritise their children’s education, warning against keeping school-going children out of class to graze cattle.
She directed the Resident District Commissioner and police to take action against parents who deny children access to education by involving them in livestock grazing.
“I appeal to the community to take their children to school. Parents who keep their children out of school to graze animals must stop,” she said.
She further called on LC III and LC I leaders, together with kraal leaders, to work with local authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
“LC III, LC I and kraal leaders must cooperate and support this initiative, because the young generation are the future of Uganda tomorrow,” Akello said.
Karenga Resident District Commissioner Taban Peter Data said sub-county chiefs across the Karamoja region had received guidance on the procedures for distributing the agricultural tools.
He cautioned local officials against favouritism, emphasising that the hoes should reach eligible households within the designated communities.
“Avoid giving these hoes to your friends and relatives who are not from the parishes. Only consider people within your community and ensure that each household receives a hoe,” Taban said.
He also warned beneficiaries against selling the hoes or exchanging them for alcohol, urging them to use the tools productively in their gardens, particularly during the planting season.
“Don’t sell the hoes. Use them in your gardens,” he said.
Taban encouraged residents to embrace mixed farming by cultivating different crops to improve household food diversity and reduce dependence on a single crop.
“Don’t plant only one crop. Have a variety so that we can have a mix of food items,” he advised.
The Dodoth West MP, Baatom Ben Koryang, said the initiative would help households increase food production, improve incomes and support government efforts to reduce poverty and hunger in Karenga District.
“This initiative will help our households increase food production and improve household incomes. Let us use this support to fight poverty in Karenga,” Baatom said.
Meanwhile, the UPDF Commander of the 3 Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Michael Walaka Hyeroba, described the government support as part of broader efforts to economically empower communities while consolidating security and stability in the Karamoja sub-region.
Hyeroba emphasised the relationship between food security and national security, noting that sustainable peace requires households to have reliable sources of food and income.
“Food security is national security. Let us all embrace agriculture as a pathway to peace and prosperity,” he said.
He urged residents to put the agricultural tools to productive use, educate their children and abandon cattle rustling in favour of farming and other productive economic activities.
“We cannot keep the peace with guns alone. True peace comes when every household has food on the table. I call upon you to put these tools to work, educate your children, and abandon cattle rustling for productive farming,” Hyeroba said.
The hand hoe distribution is expected to strengthen household farming, increase food production and contribute to improved livelihoods across Karenga District, while supporting wider government efforts to promote economic empowerment and lasting peace in Karamoja.
