Health 21 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Food Abundance Fails to Curb Malnutrition Due to Poor Diets
Despite being East Africa's food basket, Uganda grapples with high child stunting rates linked to diets heavy in carbohydrates but lacking in fruits and vegetables. Authorities are launching an expo to promote better eating habits and nutritious food options. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/beyond-hunger-unpacking-the-link-between-diet-and-malnutrition-5431506
Uganda boasts plentiful food production, yet malnutrition persists, affecting around two million children with stunting. Recent Ministry of Health data reveals that one in four children under five is stunted, with rates hitting 23-26 percent, especially in regions like Tooro and Karamoja.
Nutrition experts point to dietary shortcomings rather than scarcity as the main culprit. Families often favor carbohydrate-rich meals over balanced ones including vegetables, fruits, and other vital nutrients, leading to stunting and anemia in women and children.
Damali Ssali, country director for GAIN Uganda, highlighted during a Kampala media event that while food is abundant, daily choices fall short. ‘Carbohydrates are essential but must be paired with diverse nutritious foods,’ she noted.
To tackle this, the Ministry of Health, partnering with GAIN and the Netherlands, will host the Ebyendiisa Expo from April 30 to May 1, 2026, at UMA Grounds in Lugogo. The free event will feature cooking demos for balanced meals suited to toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, emphasizing folic acid to prevent birth defects like hydrocephalus.
Over 200 small businesses will display nutritious products, fostering market links and practical skills for healthier home cooking. In areas like Karamoja, challenges from climate, insecurity, and poverty compound the issue, but the expo aims to drive demand for vegetables and innovations in food processing.
This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between Uganda’s agricultural wealth and improved household nutrition.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)