By: Hellen Namale
KAMPALA
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Peter Lokeris, has said that government development programmes are gradually transforming the Karamoja sub-region.
“Karamoja is changing, and we are glad that the government has put in place many development projects to transform the sub-region,” Lokeris said while appearing on the Front Bench programme on Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) television on Monday. “We are not yet there, but we are no longer where we used to be.”
He noted that government interventions in agriculture have significantly improved livelihoods in the sub-region. “Agriculture remains the main source of income and a vital means of sustaining families,” Lokeris said. “It is playing a central role in improving the living conditions of the people.”
Lokeris added, “When we say Karamoja is peaceful, we mean it is different from what it was before. If we continue implementing our plans, we will move even further ahead. Everything has a beginning,” he added.
Hon. FLorence Nambozo Wamala, State Minister for Karamoja Affairs during the Front Bench Program on UBC TV
The Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Florence Nambozo, who appeared on the programme alongside Lokeris, said the progress made over the years is opening up the sub-region to investment and reshaping its narrative.
“Karamoja is the next investment destination,” she said. “Children are now seeing factories being established, but this was unheard of in the sub-region a few years ago.”
Nambozo described Karamoja as one of Uganda’s richest regions, and noted ongoing efforts to protect people’s land rights. “The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is supporting communities to register their land,” she said.
She also highlighted improvements in access to education, with more schools being constructed across the sub-region. She further underscored the ‘Karamoja feed Karamoja‘ school feeding Programme which has also encouraged the children to stay in school. “Many Children now want to go to school,” Nambozo said. “Many people have attained University education and are contributing to the area’s development.”
Mr. Peter Amodoi, Programme Officer, Karamoja Affairs submitting during the Front Bench Programme on UBC TV
Meanwhile, the Programme Officer for Karamoja Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Peter Amodoi, emphasised the importance of the Karamoja Regional Development Plan in sustaining progress.
“Karamoja is the only sub-region in Uganda with a Regional Development Plan, and if it is fully implemented, it will accelerate transformation even further,” he said.
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