KAMPALA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Uganda is currently facing adverse effects of climate change and the situation, which has led to the loss of lives and property, seems to be worsening, a top government official warned on Tuesday.
Most parts of the country are facing severe food insecurity like in the semi-arid northeastern region also known as Karamoja, said Musa Ecweru, minister of state for refugees and disaster preparedness, while briefing Parliament on the situation in the country.
Eighty-five percent of the population in Karamoja are struggling to have a meal day and are adapting to eating wild fruits, according to him.
Government figures issued early this month indicated that over 3.5 million people in the eastern, northeastern, northern parts of the country and in the cattle corridor were on the verge of starvation.
He attributed this to the unpredictable weather pattern where prolonged dry spells have led to crop failure and affected animals, adding that short and destructive rain season leads to loss of lives and destruction of property.
There are some measures that the country can take to reduce the frequency and severity the intermittent weather patterns, according to Ecweru.
He further urged the country to prepare for climate change adaptation.
