Category Archives: Food Security & AgriBusiness

ENHANCING STORE MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING OF CORN-SOYA BLEND (CSB)

ENHANCING STORE MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING OF CORN-SOYA BLEND (CSB)

Effective store management and careful handling of food supplies, like Corn-Soya Blend (CSB), play a critical role in ensuring the well-being of communities. To address specific challenges related to food storage and safety, KRC-Uganda, with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), developed a training program to promote best practices, reduce food losses, and guarantee food safety. This training covers essential areas, beginning with inventory control and meticulous record-keeping to avoid shortages and prevent wastage. Accurate records, consistent stock monitoring, and applying the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle ensure that the CSB remains fresh and available when needed. Another key focus is maintaining proper storage conditions, emphasizing that storage areas for […]

 WHY THE RIGHT TO FOOD SHOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT

 WHY THE RIGHT TO FOOD SHOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT

As we commemorate World Food Day on October 16th, a day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1979 to raise awareness about hunger and promote action for sustainable food systems, it’s crucial to reflect on the right to food. At KRC-Uganda, we have commemorated this day for decades through various events, discussions, and initiatives focused on food and nutrition security and their interlinking with human rights. Given my background in both human rights and food systems, I firmly believe that the right to food must be elevated to the status of an absolute right. THE QUESTION THEN BECOMES: WHAT EXACTLY ARE ABSOLUTE RIGHTS? An absolute right is […]

KRC-UGANDA AND FOOD RIGHTS ALLIANCE LEAD STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS FOR NDP IV IN THE TOORO REGION

KRC-UGANDA AND FOOD RIGHTS ALLIANCE LEAD STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS FOR NDP IV IN THE TOORO REGION

The Kabarole Research and Resource Centre-Uganda (KRC-Uganda), with funding from Healthy Food Africa and Hivos, in collaboration with the Food Rights Alliance (FRA), organized a two-day consultative workshop focused on food security and nutrition prioritization within Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) IV. This workshop took place in Fort Portal Tourism City on September 19th and 20th and attracted technical leaders and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) across Fort Portal City, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Bunyangabu, and the refugee-hosting districts of Kamwenge and Kyegegwa. The objectives of the consultative workshop included: 1. Assess the implementation of nutrition interventions through district development plans aligned with NDP III. 2. Establish local contexts for nutrition […]

THE ROLE OF DEBATES IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SYSTEMS

THE ROLE OF DEBATES IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SYSTEMS

In 2022, the Toro Sub-Region was identified as having a particularly high burden of malnutrition and child stunting (UDHS, 2022). Anthropometric measurements collected for children under the age of five revealed an alarming stunting rate of 38%, well above the national average of 26%. While Uganda’s stunting rates have steadily declined since 2016, reaching 28.9% by 2020 (Global Nutrition Report, 2020), these figures remain unacceptably high. According to UNICEF, malnutrition poses a serious threat to an entire generation of Ugandan children. Sharon addressing debate participants on the rules of engagement Several interventions have been implemented to combat malnutrition in all its forms. These include nutrition-specific interventions, such as maternal micronutrient […]

ENHANCING NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY OUTCOMES THROUGH INTEGRATING NUTRITION PROGRAMMING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN FORT PORTAL CITY AND KABAROLE DISTRICT

ENHANCING NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY OUTCOMES THROUGH INTEGRATING NUTRITION PROGRAMMING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN FORT PORTAL CITY AND KABAROLE DISTRICT

In an effort to improve nutrition and food safety outcomes, Fort Portal City and Kabarole District have integrated nutrition programming into primary schools. This initiative addresses a critical issue—four in every ten children in the Tooro region are stunted. Contributing factors include limited knowledge about nutrition, inadequate dietary diversity, and insufficient care for mothers and children. Moreover, food safety concerns need urgent attention. Pupils of Karambi primary school nutrition club pose for a photo with KRC-Uganda, IDP, JESE, RCA and political and technical leaders from Fort Portal City and Kabarole district during one of the school monitoring exercises Primary schools have become pivotal in promoting sustainable food systems by educating […]

DISABILITY INCLUSION IN NUTRITION INTERVENTIONS IN REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS

DISABILITY INCLUSION IN NUTRITION INTERVENTIONS IN REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS

Refugee settlements are often scenes of severe hardship, where basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare are scarce. In these challenging environments, the needs of people with disabilities are frequently overlooked. Refugee populations often have higher rates of disability due to conflict, violence, and poor living conditions. Disabilities can range from physical impairments to sensory and cognitive, each requiring specific accommodations and considerations. People with disabilities are at a higher risk of malnutrition. Mobility impairments, for example, may limit their to access food distribution points. Sensory disabilities might make it difficult to communicate needs or navigate unfamiliar environments. Cognitive disabilities can complicate understanding of nutrition information and self-care practices. […]

Reducing stigma and improving Maternal Nutrition for Teenage Pregnant Mothers

Reducing stigma and improving Maternal Nutrition for Teenage Pregnant Mothers

In Kyaka II settlement, teenage pregnancy rate is increasing during Maternal Child health and Nutrition (MCHN) clinic at Itambabiniga health Outpost and young mothers are facing severe stigma to attending health care services. This is adversely affecting their access to maternal nutrition and health care. The stigma will not only be isolated to these young mothers but also leads to malnutrition impacting both maternal and child health. Recognizing this issue in the identified teenage pregnant mothers, the nutritionist engaged a comprehensive Nutritional support and counselling aimed at reducing stigma and improving maternal Nutrition among teenage pregnant mothers. The session focused on counselling tailored to the needs of teenage mothers and […]

Achieving Our Savings Goals by Shifting Mindsets: Harvesting Seeds of Gold

Achieving Our Savings Goals by Shifting Mindsets: Harvesting Seeds of Gold

According to research conducted by FINSCOPE UGANDA 2023, 60% of Ugandans are actively engaged in both formal and informal saving practices. However, it is concerning that 39% of these savers primarily save to meet their regular expenses. This can, to some extent, be attributed to the savers’ lack of clear financial goals or focus. As a result, the accumulated savings often end up being used for unexpected or unplanned events, leading to a depletion of the saved funds. Kyomugisha Regina, a member of Rushango Central Farmers VSLA in Kabambiro Sub County, Kamwenge District, diligently saved her money and shared each saving cycle over time. However, she never seemed to see […]

Leveraging Religious spaces to promote optimal nutrition and food safety practices

Leveraging Religious spaces to promote optimal nutrition and food safety practices

Lucy Kahunde, a member of the Central Division Nutrition Coordination Committees delivering food safety messages to Christians at town Church, Fort Portal Tourism City. In September 2020, Government approved the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP II) as the Country’s Strategic Plan for Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) over the period 2020-2025 with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) holding the coordinating function. The UNAP II mandates the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) to strengthen the enabling environment for scaling up nutrition specific and sensitive actions at local governments of Uganda. At Local Government Level, the UNAP II coordination arrangements provide for: Nutrition Coordination Committees (NCCs) at District, City, Municipality, City […]

Nutrition Governance Training Report, Fort Portal City, May 2024.

Nutrition Governance Training Report, Fort Portal City, May 2024.

Work Purpose: The overall objective of the workshop is to build capacity of City /City Division NutritionCoordination Committees on nutrition Governance. Workshop objectivesSpecifically, the workshop aimed at: – i) Creating awareness on the UNAP II implementation governance architecture at the city,City Division and Ward levelii) Fostering implementation of the performance improvement plan for nutritiongovernance in the cityiii) Establishment functionality of Nutrition Coordination Committees both at the citydivisions and all the wards in the city. Click to read full report