Residents in Kitgum have turned to catching locusts for food, the TowerPost has learnt. Kitgum is one of 17 districts where the locust invasion has been reported. Yet the government warned against eating them, some people in Kitgum have a parallel view.

When Kitgum was hit by locusts on Tuesday this week, residents went on a mission to catch them, and they would later fry them for meals.

Residents who spoke to journalists said locusts were in the past a source of food, but due to scarcity, the younger generation doesn’t know about this.

Some said they were only eating the locusts due to food shortage in their region.

“We boiled these insects for eating. In the past when they come, they are caught, boiled, dried and fried before being served for children and even adults. We currently have limited food because of the poor harvest last year due to rains that returned late and destroyed all our crops,” a resident relayed.

Others say they ate the locusts out of curiosity.

The government of Uganda is doing everything to eliminate locusts in affected areas as they pose a great threat to crops.