Health ministry says standardised school feeding will eliminate malnutrition

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The health ministry says it is introducing a standardised school feeding plan in Uganda to address growing concerns over malnutrition and diet-related diseases among schoolchildren.

The announcement was made on June 16, 2025, at a media briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala ahead of the three-day Fourth Annual Nutrition Symposium, which opened Tuesday, June 17, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo. The symposium brings together policymakers, scientists and nutrition stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable solutions for the country’s worsening nutritional landscape.

Samalie Namukose, Commissioner for Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, revealed that the Ministry has drafted a basic meal plan intended for implementation in all schools. (Photo by John Musenze)

Speaking to the media, ministry commissioner for nutrition Samalie Namukose said the ministry has drafted a basic meal plan intended for implementation in all schools. However, its rollout is still undergoing stakeholder consultations before it can be presented to Cabinet for formal approval.

“Right now, we can say we have the plan to roll it out, but we are working with different stakeholders who are still consulting. Once all is approved, all schools will have a meal plan,” Namukose said.

She noted that the ministry is collaborating with the education ministry, UNICEF, scientists and other relevant actors to ensure a well-informed and practical implementation model that aligns with the country’s health and education systems.

Namukose underscored the urgent need for school-based interventions, citing the alarming rise in conditions such as childhood obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to poor nutrition. She also warned that dietary challenges were not only damaging children’s health but also contributing to poor academic performance.

“Nutrition doesn’t bring only health complications; it also leads to underperformance in school. We want to solve all these problems with one intervention,” she added.

The school feeding module is being proposed at a time when Uganda is facing what experts describe as a double burden of malnutrition: the simultaneous occurrence of undernutrition and obesity, often within the same communities or even households.

26% of children under five are stunted

Addressing journalists during the same press briefing, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, painted a grim picture of the country’s nutrition indicators.

Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, painted a grim picture of the country’s nutrition indicators. (Photo by John Musenze)

“According to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey (2022), 26% of children under five years are stunted. That means for every four children under five, one is chronically undernourished,” he said. 

Kyabayinze explained that stunting is a form of chronic undernutrition where a child is too short for their age, which is usually the result of long-term insufficient nutrient intake or frequent infections. Additionally, 2.9% of children are reported as wasted, being underweight to the extent that their bones are visible, a sign of acute undernutrition.

The burden is not limited to children. Kyabayinze warned that micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia among women of reproductive age are also widespread, affecting maternal health and child development.

“Micronutrients are needed for mothers to make blood for their unborn babies and to ensure that children grow with strong immunity,” he noted.

Dr George Upenytho, the commissioner for community health, also addressed journalists and challenged the paradox of widespread malnutrition in a country known for its agricultural potential.

“It should not be the case that a country living amidst plenty of food continues to experience malnutrition in all its forms,” Upenytho said.

Dr George Upenytho, Commissioner for Community Health, also addressed the press and challenged the paradox of widespread malnutrition in a country known for its agricultural potential. (Photo by John Musenze)

He clarified that while agriculture focuses on food production and education centres on learning, the Ministry of Health's mandate is to ensure that nutritional quality is not overlooked, particularly when it directly affects public health outcomes.

“Our concern is at the point where people fail to put the right food components into their mouths. That is where malnutrition begins, and that is where we must intervene,” he added.

Upenytho said the upcoming symposium would explore how to use science, data, and policy innovation to solve Uganda’s nutrition challenges. It will feature researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals presenting evidence-based findings and recommendations.

The Annual Nutrition Symposium, now in its fourth edition, has grown into a platform for shaping Uganda’s nutrition agenda. This year’s theme focuses on “strategic, sustainable, and resilient investments in nutrition” that can contribute not only to better health outcomes but also to national economic growth.

Kyabayinze emphasised that malnutrition is not merely a health issue but a barrier to human capital development. It undermines learning potential, reduces labour productivity, and places a long-term economic strain on the country.

“While Uganda has made progress in reducing poverty and improving agricultural productivity, malnutrition continues to hinder economic progress,” he explained.

He added that climate change, rapid population growth, and economic vulnerabilities are further complicating the nutritional landscape, necessitating coordinated, multisectoral responses.

As consultations continue on the proposed school feeding model, expectations are high that the policy could become a game-changer in Uganda’s fight against malnutrition. Once adopted by Cabinet, the school feeding plan will become a national standard, ensuring every child in school receives at least one balanced meal per day.

Nutrition experts and public health leaders believe this will go a long way in reducing stunting, improving learning outcomes, and preventing the early onset of NCDs in Uganda’s future generations.

The Ministry of Health has made it clear that while scientific research and policy dialogue are critical, the actual transformation will require grassroots support, community involvement, and sustained investment.

“We need strategic and resilient investments in nutrition—not just for better health but also for our country's future prosperity,” said Kyabayinze.