Health 28 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nutritionists Decry Unhealthy Infant Feeding Practices in Uganda
Health experts in Uganda are raising alarms over the increasing trend of feeding infants unhealthy foods before six months, contributing to rising malnutrition rates. They emphasize the critical importance of exclusive breastfeeding during this period. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nutritionists-warn-against-feeding-infants-unhealthy-foods-5574948
Health professionals are strongly advising mothers in Uganda against introducing infants to foods other than breast milk within the first six months of life. This warning comes amid concerns that early introduction of unsuitable foods is a significant factor in the high numbers of malnourished children seen at health facilities, with some reporting as many as 60 cases weekly.
During the recent breastfeeding month commemoration in Masaka, nutritionists highlighted that while breast milk is the only recommended nourishment for newborns, practices like feeding cassava porridge are prevalent. This porridge, though energy-rich, lacks the essential body-building nutrients that infants desperately need for proper development. Stunted growth in babies has been directly linked to these premature and inappropriate feeding habits.
Experts stressed that exclusive breastfeeding provides a baby’s first and most crucial source of nutrition and protection against diseases. They urged mothers facing any difficulties with breastfeeding to seek professional guidance rather than resorting to alternative foods. Exceptions exist, such as for mothers with HIV, but these cases require specific medical advice.
Further challenges identified include a lack of adequate breastfeeding facilities in many workplaces, despite legal provisions. This forces mothers to leave their babies at home, leading to reliance on less nutritious options like black tea throughout the day. The law, amended in 2025, mandates employers to provide space and time for breastfeeding and childcare, but enforcement appears weak.
While Uganda has seen impressive improvements in exclusive breastfeeding rates in the first six months, reaching 94 percent, and a high rate of initial breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, concerns remain about continued breastfeeding beyond six months and the quality of complementary feeding practices. There’s also a call for men to support breastfeeding mothers by sharing household responsibilities, allowing mothers more time for infant care.