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KITGUM - At least 1,800 residents of Namokora in Kitgum district are crying out to the Government for food relief and seed for planting this season.

They are part of those whose plantations withered due to too much sunshine late last year.

Some of the residents say they are currently surviving on a meal per day, while others spend nights without anything to eat.

Geoffrey Opyet, the sub-county chairperson, on April 7, 2024, said besides the sunshine that destroyed the locals’ crops, some were devoured by stray elephants from Kidepo Valley National Park.

According to Opyet, the sub-county leaders have written to the Office of the Prime Minister requesting for urgent food aid and seeds to rescue the locals from hunger. 

The chairperson added that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has also been petitioned to extend a helping hand to those whose crops were destroyed by the wild animals from the park.

Meanwhile, Alfred Omony, the Kitgum district production officer, concurred with the locals saying last year, the district registered poor harvest and that if nothing is done for the affected community, untold hunger is likely to befall them.