Kotido, Uganda: Kotido District has officially launched the Karamoja Agro-Pastoral Resilience and Empowerment Project (KAREP), a $1.1 million, three-year initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and economic exclusion in the region.
Funded by the Kane Family and implemented by Oxfam in Uganda in partnership with the Warrior Squad Foundation, KAREP targets smallholder farmers across Napupum and Kapeta subcounties.
The initiative integrates Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) into Agricultural Producer and Farmer Field School activities, rehabilitates degraded ecosystems through Cash for Work programs, and strengthens livestock disease management and rangeland governance.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Karamoja is currently classified in Phase 3 (Crisis), with over 600,000 people facing acute food insecurity driven by erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures.
During the launch at Ateker Hotel, Project Officer Nakong Night Teddy emphasized community participation, saying, “This project is not just about agriculture, it’s about restoring dignity, building resilience, and empowering communities to take charge of their future.”
Oxfam Country Director Francis Odokorach highlighted KAREP’s gender-responsive approach, noting its emphasis on women and youth empowerment through financial literacy, climate-smart agriculture, and capacity building for local institutions, including Water User Committees and Community Animal Health Workers.
“We are co-creating long-term strategies that empower people to adapt, innovate, and thrive in the face of adversity,” Odokorach said.
Resident District Commissioner Charles Ichogor pledged government support and urged stakeholders to take collective ownership, emphasizing sustainability and accountability as key to long-term impact.
“KAREP is more than a project; it is a promise of hope and resilience for the people of Karamoja. I urge all stakeholders to take ownership and work together to protect our environment and empower our communities,” he noted.
His remarks underscored the importance of community engagement and accountability. With many development projects in the region struggling to achieve long-term impact, Ichogor emphasized that sustainability must be built into every intervention.
Local leaders echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for transparency, regular monitoring, and inclusive decision-making. Several community members expressed optimism that KAREP’s participatory model would foster trust and ensure that benefits reach those most in need.
KAREP represents a significant departure from the emergency relief efforts that have long dominated development work in Karamoja. Instead of short-term fixes, the project focuses on resilience-building, economic empowerment, and environmental restoration.
This strategic shift is aligned with global calls for climate adaptation and sustainable development. As Uganda grapples with the realities of climate change, projects like KAREP offer a roadmap for how vulnerable regions can transition from crisis to stability.
Stakeholders hope that KAREP will serve as a catalyst for broader change, inspiring similar initiatives across Uganda and the East African region. By demonstrating the power of locally led, inclusive, and climate-smart development, the project could redefine how humanitarian and development actors engage with fragile ecosystems and communities.
The launch was marked by traditional dances and community celebrations, reflecting local enthusiasm for a project seen as a symbol of hope and possibility for Karamoja’s future.
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