Uganda’s reputation as a regional food basket is increasingly being undermined not by scarcity, but by poor dietary choices, with nutrition experts warning that many citizens are failing to eat balanced meals despite the country’s abundant food supply.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming dietary ‘Ebye’ndiisa’ Expo, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Uganda Country Director Damalie Ssali said the challenge has shifted from food availability to food selection.
“Uganda produces a wide variety of foods, yet diets remain heavily carbohydrate based. Carbohydrates are important, but they must be balanced with vegetables, fruits and other nutrient-rich foods,” she said.
The two-day expo, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will take place from April 30 to May 1 at the UMA Show Grounds. It is designed to go beyond awareness and offer practical solutions that encourage behaviour change in everyday eating habits.
More than 130 businesses have registered to participate, according to Ssali, with over half comprising small and medium enterprises as well as food processors. About 70 percent of these companies are formally certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, reflecting a steady rise in quality compliance within the food sector.
Participation cuts across the country, with 70 percent of exhibitors coming from outside Kampala and Wakiso, including regions such as Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale and Jinja. Exhibitors will showcase a wide range of food products, with particular emphasis on vegetable-based and value-added nutritious options.
Beyond exhibition, the event is expected to function as a business and networking platform. Nearly 60 percent of participating companies aim to promote their products, while others are seeking partnerships and new market opportunities.
“This is not just an event. It is a behavioural change platform designed to influence how people eat, not just what they see,” Ssali emphasised.
The expo will feature live cooking demonstrations, food tasting sessions and direct interaction between consumers and producers, offering practical guidance on preparing balanced meals. Product pitching sessions, entertainment and community engagement activities will also form part of the programme.
Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, described the initiative as timely, especially in light of ongoing concerns about child nutrition.
“About 26 percent of our children are undernourished, which is alarming. This expo shifts the conversation from awareness to action by showing people exactly how to prepare balanced meals, particularly for young children,” he said.
Ainebyoona also underscored the importance of proper nutrition for vulnerable groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, noting that deficiencies in essential nutrients such as folic acid can result in serious health complications, including birth defects.
Organisers say the expo is expected to boost awareness of healthy diets, increase demand for nutritious foods, strengthen market linkages and improve public confidence in preparing balanced meals.
The initiative aligns with Uganda’s national nutrition priorities, including the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan, and broader human development goals aimed at promoting healthier diets while strengthening private sector participation in the food system.
The event is free for both the public and exhibitors, with registration still open.
Stakeholders are now urging the public, media and business community to turn up in large numbers, as the country seeks to transform its food systems and tackle malnutrition through practical, everyday solutions.
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