“Instead of feeding them on beans and posho, why don’t you fundraise for valley dams and irrigation systems so that they can be empowered to feed themselves,” Baryamureeba posted.
A debate has erupted on social media after former Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, challenged Pastor Robert Kayanja to shift focus from donating food to Karamoja and instead support long-term agricultural solutions such as valley dams and irrigation schemes.
The discussion started on X after Pastor Kayanja appealed to the public to contribute towards ongoing food relief efforts for famine-stricken communities in Karamoja. The pastor said the work of feeding hungry families had not stopped and called on well-wishers to support the initiative through financial contributions.
Responding to the appeal, Prof. Baryamureeba argued that while food donations provide temporary relief, fundraising for valley dams and irrigation systems would empower the people of Karamoja to produce their own food for generations.
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“Instead of feeding them on beans and posho, why don’t you fundraise for valley dams and irrigation systems so that they can be empowered to feed themselves,” Baryamureeba posted.
His remarks quickly sparked mixed reactions from X users, with many debating whether the priority should be emergency food relief or long-term investments in agriculture.
Some users backed the professor’s proposal, saying sustainable infrastructure would reduce dependence on food aid and improve food security in the region. Others argued that irrigation projects and valley dams are necessary if Karamoja is to overcome recurring cycles of hunger.
However, many users disagreed, insisting that the region is facing an immediate humanitarian crisis that requires urgent food assistance before any long-term projects can be implemented.
Some commenters argued that by the time dams and irrigation schemes are completed, many vulnerable people could have already succumbed to hunger.
Others defended Pastor Kayanja, noting that providing emergency relief is different from implementing government development programmes, with some saying the construction of dams and irrigation infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the state.
The online exchange has reignited the wider debate on balancing emergency humanitarian assistance with sustainable development interventions in Karamoja, a region that has for years grappled with drought, food insecurity and poverty.
While opinions remain divided, the discussion has highlighted growing calls for both immediate relief to save lives and long-term investments aimed at ensuring communities can produce enough food and reduce reliance on handouts in the future.
