Health 12 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kabarole District Tackles Child Stunting with Community-Led Nutrition Initiative
Communities in Kabarole District are actively combating child stunting by establishing kitchen gardens and village nutrition groups. Notably, men are now participating as nutrition champions, a significant shift from traditional gender roles in childcare. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kabarole-communities-adopt-new-nutrition-drive-to-combat-child-stunting-5456138
Efforts are underway in Kabarole District to address the concerning rates of child stunting, with local communities taking a hands-on approach. Residents are establishing kitchen gardens and forming village nutrition groups to ensure children receive adequate, nutritious food at home.
A key development in this initiative is the increased involvement of men as nutrition champions, a departure from previous norms where feeding and childcare responsibilities were primarily shouldered by women. This collaborative effort aims to create a more supportive environment for child nutrition.
The drive also emphasizes the cultivation and consumption of indigenous foods, with private sector players and civil society groups promoting their benefits. Village associations are further enhancing food security through value addition and preservation techniques, enabling families to store food for longer periods.
The urgency for these changes stems from alarming statistics: a 2022 survey indicated stunting among children under five in the Tooro region stood at 38.7%, third highest nationally, and significantly above the national average of 26%. Severe stunting in the region was also nearly double the national rate.
Residents acknowledge past mistakes, such as prioritizing crop sales over home consumption. “For a long time, we concentrated on selling food to get money and forgot that our children also needed to eat well,” shared Ms. Moureen Kakyo from Hakibaale Sub-county. Now, villages are establishing demonstration gardens with nutrient-rich crops and receiving seedlings to bolster household diets.
Men like Mr. William Rwakahangi are stepping up as role models, recognizing the financial and health costs of poor nutrition. “After several training sessions, we realised that families were spending a lot of money treating children in hospitals because of poor nutrition,” he stated. The initiative involves reviving indigenous foods and preservation practices to ensure year-round balanced meals for children.
Programs like CASCADE, implemented by CARE, are providing essential skills in nutrition and food security. The Tooro Organic Producers Association is promoting highly nutritious foods like chia seeds and preparing nutrient-rich porridge for mothers and children. The district has also established nutrition committees at various levels and integrated nutrition into government programs to ensure its prioritization.
While challenges like limited funding and the absence of a dedicated district nutrition officer persist, the progress made through community engagement and integrated programs is evident. The skills gained by communities are expected to sustain the positive impact on household nutrition.