Member of Parliament, Minister of State Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs, Hon. Okello Henry Oryem is back on the spot. This is after he appeared on television and said that, any Ugandan that is dying of hunger is an idiot. Adding that, with the fertile soils Uganda has and the conducive weather, no one can die of hunger.
“Those people dying of hunger are idiots, real idiots that can die of hunger in Uganda. Those are idiots because there is enough food in Uganda,” Minister Oryem Okello stated while appearing on NTV Uganda.
Minister Okello’s statement puts millions of Ugandans in the category of idiots. Meanwhile, it should be known that, a 2022 Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) report on the State of Human Rights and Freedoms in Uganda released in May 2023.
Indicated that a prolonged dry spell had triggered hunger killing at least 2,255 people in the Karamoja Sub-region districts of Kotido, Moroto, Kaabong and Napak. And this includes young children and older people.
Another report came out today, stating that, 900 people in Karamoja have so far died in one month because of hunger. Additionally, President Museveni told NAM summit delegates that the images of people starving to death in Karamoja were “not representative of all of Africa,” adding that “we are dying from food here” meaning people have more than excess of what to eat.
Minister Henry Oryem Okello further added that, with the fertile soils and favorable climate, there is no way anyone should be dying of hunger if they choose to work hard, tilling the land and tending their gardens. Ignoring the fact that most Ugandans lack a lot in the farming process like enough land, improved agro inputs, and more.
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“The climate is right despite some changes. If you make double efforts to wake up in the morning, till your land and plant the seeds, you maintain your plantation, surely, how do you fail to get food?” Minister Henry Oryem Okello added sarcastically.
It should be noted that, it this a common vice for President Museveni’s government officials to brag or even speak as though they just landed from another planet or country. This has left Ugandans broken yet they are the ones that pay taxes that enable them to feed well and live the luxurious lives they live with their families.
