UNICEF asks gov't to increase funding for nutrition

Sep 28, 2022

The government spent about sh35,000 per child under five years on nutrition-specific activities. 

Zachariah Fusheini, Nutrition Manager, UNICEF speaks at the national nutrition dialogue held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. (Photos by Shamim Saad)

Ivan Tsebeni
Journalist @New Vision

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has asked the government to increase funding for nutrition focus in Uganda.

According to Zachariah Fusheini, the nutrition manager at UNICEF, the nutrition unit has over the past years received underfunding yet it requires a lot of research and innovation.

Fusheini noted that the government spent about sh35,000 per child under five years on nutrition-specific activities. 

"The government should prioritize this important area to ensure a healthy country," Fusheini noted.

(L-R) Dr Beatrice Ekesa, Country Representative, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Sarah Ngalombi, Senior Nutritionist, Ministry of Health, Dr Peter Rukundo, Senior Lecturer, Kyambogo University, Zachariah Fusheini, Nutrition Manager, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Tony Ameny, Assistant Commissioner, Programs, Ministry of Karamoja Affairs and Hon Anthony Akol, Chairperson, Parliamentary Forum on Food and Security, Population and Development during the national nutrition dialogue

(L-R) Dr Beatrice Ekesa, Country Representative, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Sarah Ngalombi, Senior Nutritionist, Ministry of Health, Dr Peter Rukundo, Senior Lecturer, Kyambogo University, Zachariah Fusheini, Nutrition Manager, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Tony Ameny, Assistant Commissioner, Programs, Ministry of Karamoja Affairs and Hon Anthony Akol, Chairperson, Parliamentary Forum on Food and Security, Population and Development during the national nutrition dialogue

According to statistics, nutrition funding was only 1% of national level government budget (not including transfers to the district). 

Nutrition funding made up 5% of the total development assistance to Uganda from external development partners.

According to Robina Nabbanja the prime minister, the government is committed to tackling high rates of malnutrition through a multi-sector approach, reflected in the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) 2011 to 2016.

"We are devising means to support the best innovative solutions to sustainably reduce chronic malnutrition in the country," Nabbanja said.

The prime minister also pledged to work with other ministers to create a special department in the ministry of health to help in managing nutrition.

Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister speaking during the national nutrition dialogue held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala

Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister speaking during the national nutrition dialogue held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala

"I will talk to my ministers so that we create a full department to address questions surrounding nutrition," she said.

The prime minister observed that the government has put in place programmes like the Parish Development Model (PDM) that can help to fight malnutrition if well supported.

"I invite all people of good will to support the government programmes to end cries about malnutrition in among our people," Nabbanja said.

She noted that over 39% Ugandans are trapped under poverty and therefore cannot feed on the required nutritious meals something she said is dangerous to the country.

Nabbanja tasked Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to give the country credible information saying it will guide and direct government to create policies that will avert the malnutrition in the country.

Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister (second left) interacting with Hon Anthony Akol, Chairperson, Parliamentary Forum on Food and Security, Population and Development during the national nutrition dialogue

Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister (second left) interacting with Hon Anthony Akol, Chairperson, Parliamentary Forum on Food and Security, Population and Development during the national nutrition dialogue

The prime minister also asked social media users to utilize the platform to sensitize masses on nutrition and good diet. 

She remarked that Uganda is well endowed with almost every good food which she said should be used to ensure nutrition among her people.

Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister (left) being welcomed by Agnes Nandutu, State Minister for Karamoja Affairs (center) and other ministers upon her arrival at the national nutrition dialogue

Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister (left) being welcomed by Agnes Nandutu, State Minister for Karamoja Affairs (center) and other ministers upon her arrival at the national nutrition dialogue

"God gave us the best country in the world and therefore  we must be wise enough to benefit from it. We must be embarrassed to hear cases of stunting children," she said.

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