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The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Uganda have received 6,638 metric tons of rice valued at USD 6.1 million (about Shs22.5 billion) from the Republic of Korea to support school feeding programmes for over 200,000 learners in the Karamoja sub-region. 

The food assistance, handed over on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the WFP Country Office in Mbuya, Kampala, marks Korea’s largest single-year rice contribution to WFP in Uganda since the in-kind partnership began in 2018. The intervention comes at a time when Karamoja is facing its most severe food security crisis since 2018 following failed rains and crop losses across the region. 

Speaking at the handover event, the Minister of State for Primary Education, Ms Phyllis Chemutai, highlighted the crucial role school meals play in keeping children in class, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather and high poverty levels. 

The minister further cited the Ministry’s recent National Baseline Survey on School Feeding, which revealed that Karamoja boasts the highest regular school attendance in the country at 98 percent—compared to 81 percent nationally—largely due to home-grown school feeding initiatives reaching nearly 80 percent of schools in the sub-region. She urged school managers and headteachers to safeguard the food, emphasizing that every bag must be accounted for to serve the intended beneficiaries. 

WFP Representative and Country Director in Uganda, Ms. Wanja Kaaria, emphasized the urgency of the donation given the ongoing drought conditions in Karamoja, where a school meal often serves as the primary source of nutrition for children. 

"This contribution from the Republic of Korea comes at a critical time. Karamoja is facing its most severe food security crisis since 2018. The rains failed and much of this year’s harvest was lost. In a year like this, the school meal is often the only nutritious meal a child will eat all day," Kaaria stated. 

Kaaria explained that the 6,638 metric tons of rice, equivalent to more than 200 truckloads, forms part of a complete school meals package served alongside locally procured beans and vegetable oil. Under the "Karamoja Feeds Karamoja" initiative, WFP collaborates with the Ugandan government to procure food directly from local smallholder farmers and support schools in creating school gardens equipped with energy-efficient stoves and solar infrastructure. 

Over the past nine years, Korea has contributed more than 40,000 metric tons of rice to WFP operations in Uganda, supporting both new refugee arrivals at reception centers and primary school learners. 

The newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uganda, H.E. Lee Sang-ho, noted that participating in the handover was a meaningful milestone for his tenure, drawing parallels between Uganda’s current challenges and South Korea's historical experience. 

"Not so long ago, Korea also faced poverty and food shortages. With the support of the international community, we were able to overcome these challenges. Today, Korea is in a position to share what we have received," Ambassador Lee said. He expressed hope that the donation would provide stability, food security, and hope to vulnerable communities in Karamoja. 

The Ministry of Education and Sports confirmed it is currently finalizing the National School Feeding Policy with support from partners to ensure sustainable, structured school feeding across the country.

Source : monitor