By Obbo Yusuf
Government of Uganda has reached out to Karamajongs through a sugar campaign dubbed”drop waragi have sugar take tea”
The campaign follows the increasing death rate of people registered by Karenga district due to excessive consumption of Alcohol.
Statistics indicate that over 15 people have lost their lives due to excessive use of alcohol while 50 have been admitted at Karenga Health center four.
It’s on the above note that Karenga, Resident District commissioner RDC, Mpimbaza Hashaka cautioned the residents against excessive consumption of local alcohol and waragi (liquor).
Jonathan Mukose, the Chief Administrative Officer of Karenga district said that due to the alarming call for help, government responded by distributing free sugar to the old persons and the vulnerable accompanied with a campaign message of drop waragi adopt tea.
Areas leaders assert that giving residents sugar is the only way to enable them change to taking tea and porridge and forget about alcohol.
RDC Mpimbaza also revealed that the security has been put on alert to monitor the area and also take those in bad state to the health center as early as possible as to avoid more death
“In karamoja, some people are so talented in drinking to an extent of staging serious competitions in the same vice a thing that has drained human resource in the area hence putting their lives in danger, increased food insecurity and immense poverty in the region.” Said Mpimbaza
The women councilor for Kapedo Sub County and the vice chairperson for the same area Margret Nalemu said it was the first time for karenga to receive free sugar from government thus applauding it.
2000 people have been reached with 2 kg sugar each in the district.
Meanwhile Abachi peter the Local Council 3 chairman for Karenga town council has attributed the problem of over drinking to immense poverty in the region leaving majority of the people idle with nothing to do rather than drinking
