- Uganda
GAIN Uganda is supporting practical innovations that make fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods more accessible, affordable, safe, and desirable. Through the FreshValue Innovation Challenge 2026 and the Workforce Nutrition Company Onboarding, we are working with MSMEs, youth innovators, employers, and partners to strengthen food systems, reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, and create healthier workplaces.
- 18/05/2026
Uganda increasingly recognises the importance of addressing the intersection of climate change and nutrition, with emerging efforts demonstrating that integrated action is both possible and already underway. However, climate shocks, including droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks, continue to disrupt food production, dietary diversity, water access, and disease patterns, ultimately undermining nutrition outcomes. A review of 39 national policies and consultations with 22 stakeholders across government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector reveal that climate and nutrition remain largely siloed within Uganda’s policy architecture, and that implementation is constrained by gaps between policy intent and operational reality. However, a subset of policies demonstrates that effective climate–nutrition integration is already possible, particularly where clear pathways, costed commitments, and system-level investments are in place. Stakeholder interviews indicate that, although policy frameworks increasingly acknowledge the climate-nutrition nexus, integrated action is most often realised at the program level, primarily through donor-funded projects and civil society initiatives, rather than systematically embedded within government systems. These findings highlight a critical opportunity to strengthen policy coherence, institutional coordination, financing alignment, and cross-sector accountability to accelerate climate-nutrition integration efforts in Uganda.
- Kampala, Uganda, Uganda
The Ebyendiisa Expo 2026 is a two-day experience that brings together agriculture, nutrition, and food system actors to close the gap between food availability and real consumption. It transforms nutrition from information into experience through food, learning, and culture.
Why Uganda, an agricultural powerhouse still struggles with high malnutrition rates. Damali argues…
40 minutes ▶ Play this episode
Through vegetable promotion, SME support, and nutrition programs.
National Catalytic Stakeholder Consultation on the Review of the Uganda MSME Policy (2015) and the National Standards and Quality Policy (2012)
"Vegetables for All" promotes healthier eating habits.
We scale up fortified foods and promote sustainability.
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.
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.
Conducting research tailored to Uganda’s nutrition and Food transformation systems. This helps to generate evidence to guide nutrition policies, innovations, and promotes healthier diets. It strengthens national capacity and accountability towards nutrition goals.
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.
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.
This work also focuses on addressing barriers that prevent people from accessing and choosing nutritious foods, including affordability, awareness, and availability. By working across the entire food system, GAIN supports both producers and consumers in making healthier choices. Collaboration with government, private sector actors, and local communities is central to driving sustainable change. The goal is to create lasting improvements in nutrition that are embedded in everyday food systems and practices.
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.
Iron and Vitamin A deficiencies remain widespread, particularly among young children and pregnant women, where iron deficiency causes anemia.
26%
Ugandan children aged 6–59 months are stunted (short for their age).
3%
Dangerously thin for their height due to severe weight loss.
10%
Low weight for their age due to acute or chronic malnutrition.
Source: 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS)
53%
53% of children aged 6–59 months are anemic.
32%
32% of women of reproductive age in Uganda, aged 15 to 49 years have anaemia.
Source: 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS).
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.
Source: 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) for overweight and Obese.
Supporting mothers and children under five through private-sector engagement and policy advocacy.
Promoting vegetable consumption among 118,000+ urban and peri-urban consumers.
Training 427 private players and supporting 300 SMEs.
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.
In this episode of Bite the Talk, host Mark Gachagua and GAIN Uganda Country Director Damali Sali explore the "Ugandan Paradox"—why an agricultural powerhouse known as the "Pearl of Africa" still struggles with high malnutrition rates. Damali argues that the root cause is not food scarcity, but "information scarcity" and deep-seated cultural habits, such as the overwhelming dominance of the staple food Matoke, which often crowds out more nutritious options.
At GAIN, we believe that everyone deserves access to safe, affordable, 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.
Country Director, GAIN Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
Plot 9, Kyambogo View Road, Minister’s Village, Ntinda
P.O.Box 800896
Kampala, Uganda
Tel :+256 200 922 02
Email: [email protected]
Country Director, GAIN Uganda
