Government rolls out UNAP II to improve nutrition

In an effort to increase production and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods and utilize community-based nutrition services in smallholder households, the government has developed the second Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP II) to provide the strategic direction for scaling up nutrition at all levels in Uganda.

UNAP II, which falls under the Uganda Multi-sectoral Food Security and Nutrition Project (UMFSNP), is being implemented through District Nutrition Action Plans and is starting with the eastern region (Bugiri, Iganga and Namutumba).

UNAP II specifically strives to improve the nutrition status of children under five years, school-age children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women and other vulnerable groups by 2025.

Overview

Government has been implementing the UMFSNP in 15 select districts that have high stunted growth & low dietary rates. These districts include; Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Nebbi, Maracha, Namutumba, Kabarole, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Kabale, Isingiro, Bugiri, Iganga, Yumbe, Arua, and Kiryandongo. But with the project coming to an end on December 31, the ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) realized the need to sustain the implementation of the project by the implementing districts.

So, the ministry found it prudent to align project activities into the district nutrition and development plans for 2020-2025 through UNAP II. The main pathways of implementation are 1,500 UPE schools in the 15 districts through micronutrient supplementation for adolescent girls, demonstration of production and utilization of micronutrient rich food. It will also include fruit and vegetable growing, especially indigenous ones as well as other activities covering the areas of health, agriculture and education.