Kampala — PARLIAMENT has authorised the Government to spend sh5.3b above the approved budget.

Finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma yesterday told MPs that the money would be used to address the food crisis in Karamoja, Teso, Lango and Elgon regions hit by drought.

"Whereas the ministry managed to raise sh3b out of the required sh9.2b to handle post-emergency activities last financial year, the crop failure and crisis in the north and north-eastern Uganda has persisted," Suruma said.

The sh5.3b, he added, will be raised from balances from various projects within the Office of Prime Minister.

He added that although sh1.951b was earmarked for humanitarian assistance this financial year, the Government had not anticipated the problem to persist.

Last year, the Government declared a state of emergency in the north and north-eastern Uganda because of the floods and the drought that devastated villages.

The Cabinet approved sh9.2b to handle the problem but due to budgetary constraints, only sh3b was provided at that time.

"You will note that the floods occurred during the harvesting time and as a result, crops were swept away, root tubers and stems were destroyed due to water logging," Suruma said.

The planting season, which usually starts in March, he added, was not blessed with rain in most parts of the two regions.

This was worsened by the drought in April.

"District reports and findings of the technical assessments indicate that crops have dried up and the planting materials that had been distributed to promote food security in the region have gone to waste," the minister asserted.

Alice Alaso (FDC) called upon the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Prof. Tarisis Kabwegyere, to ensure that the seeds and food items procured do not rot in stores due to lack of transport.