- 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
National Catalytic Stakeholder Consultation on the Review of the Uganda MSME Policy (2015) and the National Standards and Quality Policy (2012)
Through vegetable promotion, SME support, and nutrition programs.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Malnutrition affects Ugandan adults through both overnutrition and obesity.
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.
60%
National zinc deficiency prevalence. 38.4% of children under 5 years and 60% of pregnant women.
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.
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.
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.
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]
- 16/05/2025
WHA Global Nutrition Stunting Target 2012-2025 Achieve a 40% reduction in the number of children under-5 who are stunted WHA Global Nutrition Overweight Target 2012-2025 Ensure that there is no increase in childhood overweight
- 09/04/2025
On March 27th and 28th, 2025, France hosted the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) in Paris. Launched in 2013 in London, N4G is a flagship international conference aimed at securing concrete political and financial commitments to combat malnutrition in all its forms. N4G brings together governments, international organisations, philanthropies, businesses, NGOs and other key stakeholders at a global and regional level to elevate nutrition as a key development agenda and accelerate progress against malnutrition. In preparation for the 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) hosted a two-day nutrition dialogue in Uganda, centred on workforce nutrition programs and their impact on employee’s health and wellbeing.