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NAKASEKE - With over 2.4 million children with stunted growth, Bright Rwamirama, the state minister for animal industry from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has asked Ugandans to increase their milk intake.

“It has been recorded that people who take milk get the wholesome value of the nutrients that the body deserves but in Uganda, the intake of milk is still low,” Rwamirama said today (June 21) during the celebration of the National Milk Day organized by the Diary Development Authority (DDA) in Ngoma town, Nakaseke district.

The event was organised under the theme; 'Dairy for Improved Household Income'.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that an adult consume at least 200 to 250 liters of milk per year to meet the body's requirement for nutrient intake so some micronutrients.

Rwamirama however noted that Ugandans take 64 litres of milk which is below the required amount of milk adding that a person who takes milk regularly will have stronger teeth, a stronger body, and never be malnourished. 

Minister Bright Rwamirama gives school children milk to drink. (All Photos by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Using the same platform, Akankiza Mpiira the executive director of DDA gifted expectant mothers and mothers in Ngoma Health Centre IV with milk and its products saying milk is the richest food that a baby, expectant mother, and the breast-feeding mother can have.

“Milk has carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals among other nutrients that any person requires, if you consume milk, you will have taken in the majority of the nutrients required by the body,” Akankiza said.

Akankiza said it is advisable by doctors to constantly breastfeed and also give children below five years plenty of milk adding that with too much intake, a child will never be malnourished and will have a higher IQ compared to his fellow counterparts that did not take in plenty of the milk.

Rosemary Nalumansi, a senior nursing officer at Ngoma Health Centre IV noted that because of the too much milk in the region, there are barely any cases of malnutrition recorded in the area.