In the district of Kween, eastern Uganda, a growing hunger crisis has driven desperate residents to an unusual and controversial source of food migratory birds.
With worsening food shortages caused by prolonged drought and poor harvests, families are now hunting, roasting and consuming wild birds in a struggle to survive.
Local residents say they have had no choice but to adapt to the grim reality.
“We have gone for days without proper meals,” says John Chemutai, a father of five as he plucks feathers off a small bird.
“When you see your children crying from hunger, you do whatever it takes to feed them.”
For many in Kween, the annual migration of birds through the region has now become a lifeline source of food amid a worsening food crisis.
Hunters including young boys can be seen setting up traps and using basic slingshots to capture the birds which are then either roasted over open flames or dried for later consumption.
The food crisis in Kween District is part of a broader issue facing Uganda’s Karamoja and Sebei regions where erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts and poor agricultural support have left thousands food insecure.
Local leaders have repeatedly called for government intervention but relief efforts have been slow.
The situation worsened in late 2024 when failed rains led to widespread crop failure leaving families without staple foods like millet and maize.
This has forced many to rely on wild food sources including birds, roots and wild fruits.
While eating wild birds may provide short-term relief, health experts warn of potential dangers.
Many migratory birds travel long distances and may carry diseases that could pose a risk to human health.
Environmentalists are also raising alarm over the impact on biodiversity.
“Some of these bird species are already declining due to habitat destruction. Large-scale hunting could further disrupt the ecosystem,” warns conservationist Sarah Nabulime.
Local authorities have acknowledged the crisis but say resources are limited.
“We are aware of the dire hunger situation in Kween and we have reported it to the central government,” said Kween District Chairperson Paul Chelangat.
However, many residents feel neglected and abandoned, as no significant food relief has reached them.
With no immediate relief in sight, Kween’s hunger crisis remains a ticking time bomb. If no action is taken, more people may resort to extreme survival tactics, a haunting reminder of Uganda’s growing food insecurity.
