Korea donates Shs22.5bn rice to support school feeding in Karamoja

[Da Dona]

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Uganda have received 6,638 metric tonnes of rice valued at USD6.1 million (about Shs22.5 billion) from the Republic of Korea to support school feeding programmes for more than 200,000 learners in Karamoja.

The donation was handed over on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the WFP Country Office in Mbuya, Kampala, marking Korea’s largest single-year rice contribution to WFP in Uganda since the in-kind partnership began in 2018.

The assistance comes as Karamoja faces its most severe food security crisis since 2018 following failed rains and crop losses.

Minister of State for Primary Education Phyllis Chemutai said school meals are crucial in keeping children in school, noting that Karamoja has the country’s highest child poverty rate at 84 percent.
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“A hungry child cannot learn. Children who come to school hungry struggle to concentrate, fall behind and are more likely to drop out,” Chemutai said.​

She said Karamoja records a 98 percent regular school attendance rate, largely attributed to home-grown school feeding initiatives reaching nearly 80 percent of schools in the sub-region.

The newly appointed Korean Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Lee Sang-ho, said the handover was a meaningful milestone in his tenure, drawing on Korea’s own experience with poverty and food shortages.
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“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,” Lee said.​

He expressed hope that the donation would provide stability, food security and hope to vulnerable communities in Karamoja.

WFP Country Director Wanja Kaaria said the rice would be served alongside locally procured beans and vegetable oil, noting that a school meal is often an important source of nutrition for children during the current crisis.

The Ministry of Education and Sports said it is finalising the National School Feeding Policy, with support from partners, to establish sustainable and structured school feeding programmes across the country.

Since 2018, Korea has contributed more than 40,000 metric tonnes of rice to WFP operations in Uganda, supporting refugees and primary school learners.

Daily Monitor UG​