Across much of Uganda, El Niño-induced dry spells led to extreme crop and pasture losses, which, alongside rising food prices, has greatly reduced food affordability and access. This is driving high levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition in the Karamoja region and among vulnerable populations, including refugees and host communities, in other parts of the country. Low crop and livestock production, limited income, and high prices are reducing purchasing power and increasing households’ reliance on markets and external food assistance. Limited income opportunities and localised conflicts, particularly in Karamoja, also restrict food access. At the same time, reduced humanitarian assistance levels are diminishing vulnerable households’ capacity to cope with these conditions.  

Two recent IPC analyses from August 2026 covered 60 areas across Uganda, including nine Karamoja districts,12 refugee-hosting districts, 13 refugee settlements, urban refugees in Kampala, and 25 additional districts. 

Acute food insecurity and high morbidity to diseases are driving acute malnutrition among vulnerable populations, with a notable deterioration in Karamoja. From April 2026–March 2027, approximately 465,900 children aged 6–59 months and 246,300 pregnant and breastfeeding women are suffering or expected to suffer from acute malnutrition and need treatment. This includes 58,200 children in refugee settlements, 97,100 in host communities and 156,300 in other vulnerable areas, as well as 154,200 children in Karamoja, which accounts for 33 percent of the overall malnourished children in the analysed population.  

During the current period from April to September 2026,* Kotido and Kaabong (Karamoja) are classified in IPC Acute Malnutrition (AMN) Phase 4 (Critical), while Amudat, Moroto, Nabilatuk and Nakapiripirit (Karamoja) and Adjumani refugee settlement are classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious). In the projection period from October 2026 to March 2027,** acute malnutrition is expected to deteriorate in the refugee settlements and Karamoja, as food insecurity worsens due to total crop failure in Karamoja and failed second season harvests in refugee-hosting districts. Flash floods and El Niño-induced above-average rains will heighten the risk of disease outbreaks. 

*For Karamoja, the current period is August–October 2026. 
**For Karamoja, the projected period is November 2026–February 2027.

• Scale up targeted humanitarian assistance and social protection: Expand food, cash, and nutrition assistance for households facing AFI and AMN Phase 3 and Phase 4 outcomes, prioritising Karamoja, refugees, returnees, pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under five, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities to prevent widening food consumption gaps and worsening malnutrition.  
• Enhance health services and disease surveillance: Improve access to primary healthcare, immunisation, disease prevention, and case management services. Strengthen surveillance and response systems for malaria, diarrhea, measles, and other childhood illnesses, particularly in high-risk areas vulnerable to flooding and disease outbreaks..  
• Strengthen acute malnutrition prevention and treatment services: Scale-up community screening, referral, and treatment of acute malnutrition, while ensuring adequate therapeutic and supplementary nutrition supplies. Restore and expand targeted nutrition programmes and promote optimal infant and young child feeding practices through counselling and behaviour change support.  
• Improve WASH services: Rehabilitate and expand water infrastructure, including boreholes, dams, valley tanks, and irrigation systems, while improving sanitation facilities and hygiene practices. Strengthened WASH services will reduce disease risks, improve nutrition outcomes, and support household and livestock water needs.   
• Enhance coordination, funding, and service delivery: Strengthen multisectoral coordination among government and partners, improve beneficiary targeting and data systems, and advocate for increased donor funding. Sustained investment in food security, nutrition, health, and social protection programmes is essential to address underlying vulnerabilities.