According to the Uganda health demographic survey 2016, 41% of children in Rwenzori region are not feeding well and this has caused malnutrition and stunted growth among the children in the country. “This has affected mostly women and children for example 57% of children and women don’t have enough blood which is as a result of poor feeding at household levels. The government of Uganda with support from the G20 countries finances Uganda multi-sectrol food security project with the aim of reducing the cases of malnutrition and stunted growth in the country”. Said Mr. Katisa Paul the coordinator Uganda multi-sectrol food security project in Kabarole district during a live radio talkshow supported by ToroDev on HITS Fm on 29th April, 2018.
He further said that the project has managed to conduct a TOT’s training where 2 parents from each of the 100 UPE schools in the district have been trained on balanced diet feeding. The trained parents are expected to train their fellows to increase the number at house hold levels aimed at achieving a health community free from malnutrition effects. Mr. Katisa said Parents should plant and eat local food staff at households if they are to fight malnutrition and stunted growth amongst children in the region.
The information is passed through schools where parents and pupils are encouraged to practice good feeding practices, they are equipped with knowledge on which foods to feed on, why they should practice good feeding, etc. The project is further aimed at encouraging diet diversity and promotion of appropriate feeding of young children and women on foods with high nutrients using our ancestral foods to reduce malnutrition, stunted growth and support the issue of lunch in UPE schools through starting up demonstration gardens in schools.
During the 2 hours live discussion, more than 25 callers participated through call-inns; “Program coordinators should give people local seeds, train them and encourage them on how to make nursery beds for the local food staffs at house hold levels”. Said Robert a caller from Kitumba in Kabarole district.
“Now days people are more interested in money making most of the crops planted are for commercial purposes. So parents mind more about money than feeding their children”. Said Patrick a caller from Kidubuli in Kabarole district.
“How can we get those seeds in our communities’ can the project coordinators help and supply them at every household to allow the planting of such food”. Said Rwaheru Gilbert from Kichwamba Kabarole district.