Orphaned children from Gulu have received milk goats from the Christian Children's Fund to reduce malnutrition.

CCF community development officer for Gulu Patrick Komakech said many orphaned children in camps are malnourished.

"During an assessment we conducted in 2005 in Unyama IDP camp, we discovered that most orphaned children were malnourished," Mr Komakech said on Wednesday.

He said the people asked for goats because they are easier to keep, and mature quickly and multiply in a short time. "Under the nutrition and income generating activity programme, we distribute goats to vulnerable communities to help boost their incomes," he said.

He, however, noted that some beneficiaries kill the goats for sacrifices. "We are educating beneficiaries about the benefits of keeping goats until they multiply instead of killing them earlier," Mr Komakech said.

He said some children also sell off the goats to buy uniforms and pay school fees without informing the organisation. Caretakers of vulnerable children in the sub counties of Paicho, Bungatira and Koro were also given hoes, sewing machines and bicycles.

Mr Michael Nyeko, one of the beneficiaries who was given hoes said, "I am very grateful for these hoes. This is something i could not afford."