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By Lazaro Apunyo
As hunger continues to spread across Karamoja, many families are facing difficult choices. Failed harvests, prolonged dry spells, and unpredictable weather patterns have left thousands of households struggling to put food on the table.
Yet, amid the uncertainty, a different kind of gathering is taking place in Moroto.
Christians from across the region have come together to welcome the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, who has arrived in Karamoja for what is expected to be his final pastoral visit as head of the Anglican Church in Uganda. His visit comes at a time when the region is battling widespread hunger and the effects of a prolonged drought.
For many residents, this is more than a farewell ceremony. While the Archbishop’s visit marks the end of his tenure, it also reflects a leadership style that has consistently emphasized standing with communities during difficult times. Christians in Moroto have described his arrival as a source of encouragement for people who have endured months of hardship and uncertainty.
One of the most significant activities during the visit will be the launch of emergency food relief distribution in the districts of Moroto and Napak. At a time when many families are experiencing food shortages, the intervention is expected to provide much-needed support to vulnerable households. Church leaders say the Archbishop’s mission includes ensuring that relief reaches those most affected by the current crisis.
However, local church leaders insist that the Archbishop’s legacy in Karamoja cannot be measured by food assistance alone. According to Rev. Canon Joseph Ichumar, Dr. Kaziimba’s leadership has left a lasting impact through the expansion of compassion ministries, support for education, and the strengthening of health services across the region. These initiatives have contributed to improving livelihoods and creating opportunities for some of Karamoja’s most vulnerable communities.
His tenure has also been marked by a strong and unwavering approach to church doctrine, a position that local religious leaders say helped shape his leadership within the Church of Uganda. Rev. Ichumar says the Archbishop will be remembered for his firm stance on issues affecting the church and society. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of this visit is what it represents for a region that has often struggled with marginalization.
According to Diocesan Secretary Rev. Emmanuel Logit, the decision by a national religious leader to travel to a region historically viewed as difficult to reach sends a powerful message of solidarity. In communities where poverty and food insecurity continue to challenge everyday life, such visits help restore hope and strengthen people’s faith during difficult seasons.
For many people in Karamoja, hunger is not simply a lack of food. It is the fear of an uncertain tomorrow. It is watching crops fail. It is wondering whether the next rainy season will be any different from the last.
