Local leaders from the Acholi sub-region have made a unanimous appeal to government for emergency food relief to prevent more deaths caused by hunger.
Addressing a joint press conference on Monday 20, July 2026 at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City, the L.C V Chairpersons said the situation is dire after the first season crops were destroyed by a prolonged dry spell.
Wilson Otto, the L.C V Chairperson of Agago district, reported 15 deaths and 351 cases of severe malnutrition in his district.
Oyet Sisto Ocen of Lamwo district added that 126 cases of malnutrition have been registered there.
Alfred Akena, Chairperson of the Acholi Local Government Leaders’ Forum, said school attendance has dropped significantly because children are going to school hungry.
Tony Blair Tolit, Chairperson of Kitgum district, raised concern over rising cases of miscarriages and underweight babies, which he attributed to the current food crisis.
The leaders also asked government to provide seeds to the population ahead of the second planting season.
Meanwhile, Gulu City Mayor Julius Acire Gunya said the city is experiencing a sharp rise in food prices, also blamed on the long dry spell.
