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GAIN Uganda was established
GAIN in UGANDA
Healthier Diets
for Uganda
GAIN works with partners in Uganda
to strengthen food systems so that safe,
nutritious and affordable foods are more
accessible to communities.
Through collaboration with government,
businesses, civil society and local actors,
GAIN supports efforts to improve diet quality,
strengthen nutrition policies, increase demand
for nutritious foods, and build more resilient
food systems that serve women, children
and vulnerable households.
At a glance
Uganda in focus
GAIN Uganda, established in 2007, works to improve access to nutritious and safe food. Through multi-sectoral partnerships and a systems approach, GAIN Uganda focuses on industrial fortification, biofortification, food safety, consumer behaviour change and strengthening MSMEs.
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SMEs targeted
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Individuals reached through vegetable promotion
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Workers benefited from workforce nutrition programmes
GAIN Uganda’s work supports healthier diets for all. The programme works closely with government, civil society and the private sector to create sustainable food systems, with particular attention to women, children and other vulnerable groups.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
Uganda Faces the Triple Burden of Malnutrition
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.
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Iron and Vitamin A deficiencies remain widespread, particularly among young children and pregnant women, where iron deficiency causes anemia.
Explore the full undernutrition crisis in Uganda
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.
Source: 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS)
Explore the full micronutrient deficiency crisis in Uganda
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).
Explore the full overnutrition crisis in Uganda
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.
Programmes and Partnerships
CASCADE
Supporting mothers and children under five through private-sector engagement and policy advocacy.
Vegetables for All
Promoting vegetable consumption among 118,000+ urban and peri-urban consumers.
SUN Business Network:
Training 427 private players and supporting 300 SMEs.
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.
Top reports
Additional Resources
Bite the Talk EP 28 : Uganda at the Table: Accelerating Food Systems Transformation
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.
Message from Country Director, GAIN Uganda
Welcome to GAIN Uganda
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
Contact Us
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]
Damali Ssali
Country Director, GAIN Uganda