Karamoja, Uganda – The rains have finally returned to the Karamoja region after seven months of drought that had left the area with bare soil, creating panic among Karimojong pastoralists.
The region began receiving rainfall in the last week of April, bringing renewed hope to pastoralists who had feared massive cattle losses due to lack of water and pasture.
Retired Production Officer of Nakapiripirit District, Mr. Mario Tengei, told this publication that the return of the rains is normal and urged farmers not to become reluctant but instead to plant crops early so that by the end of April, they will have properly germinated.
“This is a genuine return of rains in Karamoja because even the report from the meteorology department had indicated that Karamoja would receive rains by the beginning of March, which has now happened,” he said.
Simon Pulkol, a farmer and resident of Longechora Sub-county in Napak District, said he has opened up five acres of land and has already planted maize, expecting a good harvest.
“We are very happy with the return of the rains. It’s a relief to us farmers in Napak District and Karamoja at large,” he said.
The Resident District Commissioner of Napak, Mr. Milton Odong, who has embarked on mobilizing farmers to open up gardens, appealed to them to take full advantage of the rains.
“I know most families were discouraged by last year’s crop failure, but that was last year. People should not assume this year will also be bad. They should not lose hope,” he said.
He also asked the team from Operation Wealth Creation to ensure that farmers receive short-maturing seed varieties and that they are planted on time.
