Health 29 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Urgent Action Needed to Combat Child Hunger in Uganda, Say Stakeholders
Advocacy groups are calling on the Ugandan government to accelerate efforts against child hunger and malnutrition, which continue to significantly impact children's health, education, and development, particularly in rural areas. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-urged-to-expedite-fight-against-child-hunger-5575520
Child hunger and malnutrition remain critical challenges in Uganda, threatening the well-being and development of the nation’s youth. Stakeholders are urging the government to expedite strategies to combat these issues, emphasizing the detrimental effects on children under five.
World Vision Uganda has highlighted the slow implementation of the school feeding policy as a major concern. Many children, especially in rural regions, attend school on empty stomachs, leading to poor concentration, absenteeism, and diminished academic performance. “Well-fed children are more attentive and perform better in school,” stated Catherine Naluggya, Advocacy and Campaigns Officer at World Vision Uganda.
Naluggya further noted that a significant majority of pupils, estimated at 70 percent, go hungry at school, with fewer receiving meals in rural areas compared to urban centers. While the Education Act places the responsibility of feeding children on parents, widespread poverty prevents many families from meeting this obligation.
Jeremiah Nyagah, National Director of World Vision Uganda, added that malnutrition and preventable diseases continue to affect the development of young children. He called for strengthened enforcement against child rights abusers and improved protection measures to ensure children grow up in safe environments.
World Vision plans to implement food security, education, health, and social cohesion initiatives in various sub-regions, including West Nile, southwestern Uganda, Acholi, Busoga, Bukedi, and Karamoja, to foster livelihood development.
Statistics from UNICEF indicate that malnutrition disproportionately affects rural children, with stunting impacting over 20 percent of children under five globally in 2022. In Uganda, around 26 percent of children under five are stunted, and nearly 44 percent suffer from anemia. A recent assessment by World Vision Uganda revealed that over half of children live in poor households, with many families unable to cover basic needs without external aid.