Acute hunger continues to rise in Uganda and across East Africa, mirroring a global crisis that saw over 295 million people in 53 countries suffer from severe food insecurity in 2024, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), released today.
In Uganda, over 2.5 million people are estimated to be food insecure, with Karamoja, parts of the Teso sub-region, and areas affected by refugee influxes facing the most severe impacts. The crisis is driven by a combination of erratic weather patterns, displacement due to regional conflicts, and rising food prices.
The report, produced by the Global Network Against Food Crises, shows that hunger globally has reached record highs for the sixth consecutive year. Catastrophic hunger—classified as IPC Phase 5—has more than doubled, with 1.9 million people facing starvation-level conditions. In East Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia remain among the worst-hit.
Conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability are pushing communities to the brink. Uganda, although relatively stable, is increasingly affected by regional instability, hosting over 1.5 million refugees, many of whom come from South Sudan and the DRC—countries in deep food crisis.
Children are particularly vulnerable. Nationwide, malnutrition rates remain high, especially in northern Uganda. The report highlights that nearly 38 million children globally are acutely malnourished, and Uganda’s health system is under strain to respond.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the decline in humanitarian funding, calling it a “failure of humanity.” Agencies like WFP, UNICEF, and FAO have had to cut back programs due to donor shortfalls—leaving local systems and communities struggling to fill the gap.
Experts are calling for a new approach: investing in local food systems, supporting smallholder farmers, and strengthening community nutrition programs. In Uganda, this means increasing agricultural extension services, investing in school feeding programs, and supporting local resilience-building initiatives.
“The cycle of crisis cannot be broken by emergency food aid alone,” said IFAD President Alvaro Lario. “We must invest in rural communities and long-term resilience.”
Uganda’s hunger crisis is part of a broader regional challenge—but targeted interventions and increased support can change the trajectory. As global attention fades, local voices must rise to demand urgent, sustained action.
The GRFC was produced by the Global Network Against Food Crises, a coalition of UN agencies, governments, and NGOs. It warns that unless immediate, coordinated action is taken, the world could see hunger-related deaths increase dramatically in the coming year.
Full report available here:
https://www.fsinplatform.org/global-report-food-crises-2024
