Health 19 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Otuke Nutrition Hub Empowers Families to Combat Child Malnutrition
A community nutrition model home in Otuke District is providing essential support, including fortified foods and education on balanced diets, to families struggling with child malnutrition, with a particular focus on areas with limited access to health facilities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/otuke-hub-helps-families-tackle-child-malnutrition-5637628
In Otuke District, a community-led nutrition model home is making significant strides in addressing child malnutrition. Established in Aweayela Village, Alango Sub-county, the hub serves as a vital resource for mothers who often travel long distances to access crucial nutritional support and guidance.
The centre, operational since 2023 and managed by model farmer Margaret Omara, offers a range of services. These include weighing children to assess their nutritional status, educating mothers on preparing nutritious meals using locally available ingredients, and providing fortified flour for children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition. Severely malnourished children are referred to nearby health facilities for specialized care.
Village Health Team coordinator Wilfred Olap utilizes Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements to screen children, categorizing them for localized support or referral. This proactive approach, coupled with community awareness campaigns, has led to a notable decrease in referrals to higher-level health centers.
“Nowadays, cases are very few because we are doing a lot just to improve children’s nutrition,” Olap stated.
The initiative extends its reach to local schools, with St Mary’s Onottam Nursery School reporting that several pupils with moderate acute malnutrition are benefiting from the fortified porridge prepared at the hub. Head teacher Eunice Cinderella Okello noted that the children specifically prefer the porridge from the hub.
The program, supported by Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Uganda, not only provides food but also imparts knowledge. Mothers receive training in balanced diets, hygiene, sanitation, and value-addition techniques for food products. Demonstration gardens featuring nutrient-rich crops like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and iron-rich beans are integral to the education.
This model home concept, introduced in areas with high malnutrition rates, is being replicated in other districts across Uganda, demonstrating a scalable solution to a persistent national health challenge. Despite Uganda’s progress in reducing stunting and underweight prevalence, the pace of improvement is insufficient to meet global nutrition targets.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)