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Germany provides support towards Karamoja Drought resilience efforts in Uganda
Insufficient water resources threaten the livelihoods of the Karamoja people living in north-east Uganda, and there is a risk of famine in the region. Germany has provided 24 million Euro towards promotion of resilience to droughts and food security, writes the Germany Embassy in Kampala.
The majority of the Karamojong tribes in north-eastern Uganda depend on their livestock for which the availability of good pasture and water are essential to survive. But the progress of agriculture, the establishment of nature reserves, the expansion of roads and mining concessions in the Karamoja region cause insufficient water resources for livestock farming. Consequently, there is potential for conflicts between the farmers and the Karamojong tribes in the border areas of Kenya and South Sudan.
In order to avoid conflicts and support the Karamojong tribes, a project to promote resilience to droughts and food security through the expansion of water-storing infrastructure was developed.
The investment costs are estimated at 24.22 million Euro, of which 20 million Euro will be granted by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Development Bank (KfW).
By 2025, a total of up to three dams and a network of smaller troughs and boreholes are to be built in the region. In addition, access to veterinary care, optimization of pasture management as well as protection of water catchment areas in all clusters are in the focus of this project.
On February 13, the contract for the Karamoja project was signed by the Ugandan Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, and KfW Country Director, Cornelia Penzel, in the presence of the German Ambassador, Dr. Albrecht Konze, in Kampala.
In his speech, the German Ambassador emphasized that the way out of extreme poverty for Karamoja was to make better use of natural resources. Dr. Conze expressed the hope that the project would enable further development steps in the region by providing water as the basis for production.