Workforce Nutrition Beyond the Factory Floor: Shint’s Launches Improved Meal Menu

Shint’s Factory launches improved meal menu

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (FAO, 2024) highlights the dire state of hunger in Ethiopia – 59% facing moderate or severe food insecurity from 2021 to 2023. Young women are particularly vulnerable, Ethiopia’s National Food and Nutrition Strategy Baseline Survey (EPHI, 2023) states that 15% and 22% of women of reproductive age are underweight, in urban and rural settings respectively. The same report notes that only 7% meet minimum dietary diversity standards - as a result, 66% have some form of micronutrient deficiency.
Youth at the Heart of Food Systems Transformation: Reflections from ACT4FOOD’s Arusha gathering

Youth at the Heart of Food Systems Transformation: Reflections from ACT4FOOD’s Arusha gathering

In April 2025, we took part in the Act4Food Youth Leaders Workshop held in Arusha, Tanzania, a truly transformative experience that deepened our already strong convictions of the power and potential of young people to shape the future of our food systems. Organized by ACT4FOOD with support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the workshop brought together 22 youth leaders from across the globe working under the ACT4FOOD banner, along with GAIN staff and additional food systems youth leaders from Tanzania.
Science in Action: Why Science Must Lead Kenya’s Food Safety Agenda

Science in Action: Why Science Must Lead Kenya’s Food Safety Agenda

Every morning in Nairobi’s informal settlements, thousands of mothers head to the local market, searching for fresh vegetables to feed their families. For many, affordability is a top concern—but so is safety. Mary, a mother of three, recalls the time her youngest fell ill after a meal of sukuma wiki (kales). The vegetables had looked fine, but invisible risks like pesticide residues or poor handling were the real culprits. Across the City, 27-year-old Joseph joins dozens of young men at a construction site, hoping to earn enough to make it through the week. With limited pay and rising costs of living, lunch often comes from a nearby kibanda—a roadside kiosk offering fast, affordable meals. It’s filling and convenient, but rarely is the question asked: Is the food safe?
Human Centred Design in Practice – Social Protection Pilot Project Launched in Ethiopia

Human Centred Design in Practice – Social Protection Pilot Project Launched in Ethiopia

Human Centred Design (HCD) is a set of approaches, methods, and mindsets that can be applied to create fit-for-purpose solutions (designed around the needs of the final user). GAIN is committed to making social protection systems work harder for the nutrition and dietary resilience of the most vulnerable consumers using HCD. In Ethiopia, children are a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to malnutrition – with 39% stunted, and 28% suffering from micronutrient deficiencies. Education and nutrition are intrinsically linked, with malnutrition having a harmful effect on academic performance as well as adult life (Ready to learn and thrive - School health and nutrition around the world, UNESCO, 2023).
Rwanda’s First-Ever Food Systems Strategy Sets the Stage for Transformation

Rwanda’s First-Ever Food Systems Strategy Sets the Stage for Transformation

Rwanda is writing a new chapter in its journey toward prosperity. A journey rooted in resilience, innovation, and the power of its people. At the heart of this transformation is agriculture: a sector that not only feeds the nation but holds the promise of widespread economic growth, improved nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
Jack bean: A resilient legume to improve ‘tempeh security’ in Indonesia

Jack bean: A resilient legume to improve ‘tempeh security’ in Indonesia

Did you know that nearly 90% of soybeans (3 million tonnes) in Indonesia are still imported? Soybean is dominantly used to produce tempeh – a traditional food as one of the main plant protein sources with high nutritional value and has been consumed in Indonesia since the 16th century. The consumption of tempeh in Indonesia holds deep historical and cultural significance, yet ironically it currently relies on imported soybean from North and South America. GAIN Indonesia is currently working in 2 provinces on diversifying bean supply for tempeh production to increase resilience of tempeh production.

GAIN In Uganda- Overview

 

GAIN Uganda, established in 2007, is part of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition’s global mission to end malnutrition by improving access to nutritious and safe food. Operating in alignment with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan II, GAIN Uganda addresses the country’s triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Through multi-sectoral partnerships and a systems approach, GAIN Uganda focuses on industrial fortification, biofortification, food safety, consumer behavior change, and strengthening MSMEs. The program works closely with government, civil society, and the private sector to create sustainable food systems and ensure affordable, nutritious diets for all, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

 

 

GAIN's Contribution

 

 

Uganda has made progress in food production, but many people  especially women, children, and low-income communities  still face barriers to accessing safe, nutritious, and affordable diets. Malnutrition and diet-related diseases remain pressing concerns.

GAIN is working to close this gap by strengthening Uganda’s food system in partnership with local stakeholders. We support the production and consumption of fortified and biofortified foods, promote dietary diversity, and empower small and medium enterprises to deliver healthier options.

At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful goal: to ensure that all Ugandans, especially the most vulnerable, can enjoy healthier diets and live better lives

 Impact

Since 2007, GAIN Uganda has led impactful interventions including the establishment of the SUN Business Network, supporting over 300 SMEs, and reaching over 3 million people through demand generation and food safety initiatives.

300

0

SMEs targeted

3154190

0

Individuals reached through vegetable promotion

15000

0

workers benefited from workforce nutrition programs

Uganda Faces the Triple Burden of Malnutrition

1 UNDERNUTRITION

Children are the most affected by malnutrition, which harms their future potential and productivity. When it occurs in early childhood, malnutrition causes lasting physical and mental damage.

26%

Stunting

Ugandan children aged 6-59 months are stunted (short for their age)

3%

Wasting

dangerously thin for their height due to  severe weight loss.

10%

Under­weight

Low weight for their age due to acute or chronic malnutrition.

2 MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

Iron and Vitamin A deficiencies remain widespread, particularly among young children and pregnant women, where iron deficiency causes anemia.

 

60%

National zinc deficiency prevalence. 38.4% of children under 5 years and 60% of pregnant women

 

53%

 of children aged 6-59 months are anemic.

 

32%

 of women of reproductive age in Uganda, aged 15 to 49 years have anaemia.

3 OVERNUTRITION

Malnutrition affects Ugandan adults through both overnutrition and obesity.

 

Overweight and obesity prevalence is higher among women with higher education (46%) and in urban areas (14%) compared to rural areas (6%). 

9% of men and 18% of women are overweight, while 8% of women and 2% of men are obese

 

 

Only 5.2% of Ugandan adults consume the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables per day

Our Strategy in Uganda

To transform Uganda’s food system by scaling up fortified and biofortified foods, strengthening SMEs, and generating demand for healthier diets while embedding gender equity and environmental sustainability.
 

Some of the key milestones in Uganda include:

  • Since 2007, GAIN Uganda has led impactful interventions including the establishment of the SUN Business Network, supporting over 300 SMEs, and reaching over 3 million people through demand generation and food safety initiatives.
  • 427 private sector players trained
  • 3,048 engaged in awareness campaigns
     

Vision Statement

Healthier diets for all people, especially the most vulnerable, from more sustainable food systems.

 Advancing Nutrition By Motivating Ugandans To Consume Safer And Nutritious Foods

GAIN Uganda is committed to improving nutrition outcomes through a comprehensive approach that includes food fortification and biofortification, strengthening MSME supply chains, increasing consumer demand for healthier diets, enhancing food safety, and advocating for effective policy reforms. 

GAIN Uganda Business Plan

children eating fruits

CASCADE (2024–2026)

Supporting mothers and children under five through private-sector engagement and policy advocacy.

Vegetables for All (2024–2026)

Promoting vegetable consumption among 118,000+ urban and peri-urban consumers.

 

SUN Business Network: 

Training 427 private players and supporting 300 SMEs.

SME Capacity Building and Workforce Nutrition Programs in 11 companies.

 

 

Research Partnerships:

Working with Kyambogo and Makerere Universities.

Partnerships For Improved Action  

Reducing malnutrition and improving diets requires engaging with and building alliances between governments, donors, including philanthropists, civil society and youth, producers, academia, UN and development partners, and the private sector to develop and implement new approaches to drive improved action.

GAIN Uganda's Way

  • Industrial Food Fortification & Biofortification by enhancing the fortification and biofortification of staple foods to improve nutritional outcomes.
  • Development of stronger resilient MSMEs by empowering local businesses to deliver affordable and healthy food options.  
  • Demand creation for healthier diets by promoting consumer awareness and behaviour change toward nutritious diets.
  • Enhancing food safety by improving food safety standards through collaboration and policy advocacy.
  • Policy Advocacy and Food System Transformation by driving evidence-based policies to create a sustainable and inclusive food system. Inclusive Gender Mainstreaming and Environmental Sustainability by embedding gender equity and environmental sustainability across programs . 
     
 

A Message from the Country Director

Welcome to GAIN Uganda

At GAIN, we believe that everyone deserves access to safe, a^ordable, and nutritious food — especially the most vulnerable among us. In Uganda, our work is deeply rooted in collaboration with communities, government, and the private sector to transform food systems and improve nutrition outcomes.
As we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact, we remain committed to scaling proven solutions like food fortification, supporting SMEs, and driving demand for healthier diets. Our goal is simple but urgent: healthier diets for all, and a food system that works for everyone.
Thank you for visiting our page and for being part of this journey toward a nourished and thriving Uganda.

Contact Us

Kampala, Uganda
Plot 9, Kyambogo View Road, Minister’s Village, Ntinda
P.O.Box 800896
Kampala, Uganda
Tel :+256 772 207 328 

A Year of Safer Food: GAIN’s Top 10 Evidence-Driven Wins

World Food Safety Day 2025

Every year, unsafe food makes 600 million people sick and claims 420,000 lives – including 125,000 children under five (World Health Organization, 2015). These aren’t just numbers; they’re a call to action. At GAIN, we are using science and evidence to change this. For World Food Safety Day, we are spotlighting 10 ways we’ve advanced food safety over the past year.