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 Division, Municipal Division, Town Council, Sub County, Ward and Parish. OPM, developed and approved Terms of Reference for guiding NCCs in performing their roles and responsibilities. According to the TORs, Religious leaders are a member of the Nutrition Coordination Committee at all levels. Religious spaces can play a pivotal role in addressing food security challenges by promoting dietary practices that enhance nutrition and sustainable food production. Religious communities often have established networks and resources that can be mobilized to support food security initiatives. Faith-based organizations are also instrumental in advocating for policies that address hunger and malnutrition. By leveraging their moral authority and community influence, these organizations can push for systemic changes that improve food security.
Dr. Brian Kisembo, the Assistant District Health Officer and Chairperson of the Kabarole District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) sharing nutrition and food safety best practices.
KRC-Uganda has worked very closely with Kabarole district and Fort Portal City to strengthen nutrition coordination committees in the district and her fifteen sub counties/town councils. This article describes the contribution of religious spaces to improving nutrition and food safety situation in Kabarole district. Including the religious leaders in the nutrition coordination committees of Fort Portal and Kabarole has built their capacity in advocacy for optimal nutrition and food safety practices among their audience. Religious leaders in Kabarole and Uganda at large are highly respected and influential figures in their community; thus, utilizing them in nutrition and food safety campaigns is very likely to create positive impact.
During the World Food Safety Days, the NCC members sensitized congregations of various religions on food safety and nutrition. These were conducted in Mosques and at Churches in Kabarole district and Fort Portal City. Efforts to enhance nutrition at households and community through encouraging planting of fruit trees and consumption have been greatly promoted by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).
“We have sanctioned fruit tree planting under UMSC and 5500 fruit tree seedlings have been planted in households and institutions so far. We are looking at a target of 20,000 this Year God willingly.” Says Hajj Bashir Kayondo, a representative of the UMSC in the Rwenzori.
Uganda Muslim Supreme Council promoting growing and consumption of fruits in Fort Portal and Kabarole district to enhance nutrition.
By: Eric Oteba,
Food Systems & Nutrition Program Manager
KRC- Uganda
