The Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Abdirahman Meygag, has revealed plans to establish a logistics hub in Uganda aimed at serving the regional needs of neighboring countries.

He made the revelation during a meeting with the Premier, Robinah Nabbanja, at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“We’re looking to create a central logistics hub here in Uganda to cater to neighboring countries,” Meygag said.

The meeting follows one that was held in Geneva, where Nabbanja urged the WFP to priorities local food purchases in Uganda.

“Given Uganda’s status as a food basket for the region, there are concerns about WFP importing food from other countries to support Ugandans facing food insecurity in Karamoja and refugees, rather than sourcing directly from local farmers,” Nabanjja said.

Meygag, in response, told the prime minister that the WFP has changed its policies and is now giving priority to local purchases, apart from those items that cannot be produced within the country.

“We procure at least 80% of our food supplies locally, including those destined for Sudan,” Meygag said.

Uganda currently hosts over 1.6 million refugees, who rely mainly on WFP assistance through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).