The leaders of the Acholi Sub-region have made a united appeal for urgent humanitarian assistance as prolonged drought continues to trigger widespread hunger and food insecurity across northern Uganda.The call was made during a joint press conference attended by local government leaders from the eight districts that make up the Acholi Sub-region. Among those leading the appeal was Agago District LCV Chairperson Wilson Otto, who described the current drought as one of the region’s most serious challenges in recent years.”Today, we united as Acholi Sub-region local government leaders to stand with our people and advocate for humanitarian support on hunger in Acholi Land. The drought is so disastrous,” Otto said.The leaders noted that the prolonged dry spell has severely affected agricultural production, with many farmers experiencing poor harvests or complete crop failure. As a result, thousands of households are facing food shortages, raising concerns about worsening hunger and malnutrition if immediate support is not provided.Beyond calling for emergency food assistance, Wilson Otto emphasized the importance of unity among Acholi leaders in addressing both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the region’s long-term development goals. He said local governments must continue working together while aligning their development priorities with Uganda’s National Development Plan, the NRM Manifesto, and the government’s 10-Fold Growth Strategy.According to Otto, regional cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable transformation. He urged leaders to strengthen partnerships across districts, promote good neighbourliness, coordinate advocacy and lobbying efforts, and adopt a people-centred approach that reflects the diverse needs of communities throughout Acholi.He further encouraged local governments to maximize the benefits of government poverty alleviation programmes, including the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) and Emyooga. Otto said effective implementation of these initiatives can improve household incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and help communities become more resilient to economic and environmental shocks.Addressing the root causes of the crisis, Otto stressed that conversations about hunger should not focus solely on food relief. He said climate change and prolonged dry spells have become major contributors to declining agricultural productivity and increasing food insecurity across the region.He called for greater investment in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable farming methods, water conservation, and other resilience-building measures that can help communities adapt to changing weather patterns while maintaining food production.The Acholi leaders appealed to the Government of Uganda, humanitarian organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders to provide immediate assistance to the affected communities while supporting long-term interventions aimed at improving food security and reducing vulnerability to future climate-related disasters.The joint appeal reflects a growing commitment by local government leaders across Acholi to work collectively in confronting one of the region’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, while advocating for sustainable development that can secure a better future for the people of northern Uganda.
