Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena has raised concern over the state of child nutrition in Uganda, describing malnutrition as one of the country’s most pressing public health and development challenges.
Speaking at the UPC headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, Akena said an estimated two million Ugandan children under the age of five are stunted, warning that poor nutrition in early childhood has irreversible consequences for brain development, education and future economic productivity.
He said the country’s long-term prosperity depends on how well it invests in the health and nutrition of its youngest generation, arguing that childhood stunting continues to undermine Uganda’s human capital.
Akena attributed persistent malnutrition, particularly in parts of northern and eastern Uganda, to the destruction of livestock during the insurgencies of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He said the loss of cattle deprived many households of milk, a reliable source of income and an important pillar of food security, leaving communities vulnerable to chronic undernutrition.
He also criticized Uganda’s education system, saying many learners report to school on empty stomachs because their families cannot afford daily meals. According to Akena, hunger affects learners’ concentration and academic performance at all levels of education, from primary school to university.
To reverse the trend, Akena called for renewed investment in the livestock sector, including the rehabilitation of cattle dips, improved regulation of tick-control chemicals and programmes aimed at rebuilding rural herds. He said strengthening livestock production would boost household incomes while increasing access to nutritious foods.
Beyond nutrition, Akena expressed concern over what he described as irregularities in the recently concluded LC1 elections, stressing that free and credible elections are fundamental to democratic governance.
He announced that UPC will convene a delegates’ conference within the next two months ahead of the party’s internal elections, urging members to actively participate in shaping the party’s leadership and policy direction.
Akena said the UPC remains committed to presenting practical solutions to Uganda’s social and economic challenges, with improving child welfare and nutrition among its key priorities.
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