The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, launched Uganda’s Nutrition Advocacy and Communication (NA&C) Strategy during the 6th edition of the Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security held at Munyonyo Resort Hotel in Kampala. The NA&C Strategy aims at using communication to support the pro-nutrition activities and household practices contained in the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP), 2011-2016, to reduce chronic undernutrition as measured by rates of young child stunting and other nutritional deficiencies, especially anemia. The strategy development process was jointly funded by the USAID-funded SPRING and FANTA projects and UNICEF.
“As a country, through the Nutrition Advocacy and Communication Strategy, we shall cultivate awareness approaches to proper nutrition as required by the constitution,” remarked the Prime Minister.
The purpose of the strategy is to increase awareness on improving nutrition for women and for children during the first 1,000 days, the “window of opportunity” when good nutrition has the greatest impact on an individual’s future development and well-being.
The strategy is intended to be a “living document,” subject to change depending on carefully gathered information from the communities and individuals whom the activities are intended to support. The UNAP Secretariat is charged with ensuring that implementation proceeds in a manner that is “on-strategy,” but they will also review operations periodically to ensure that activities are relevant locally and cover the critical factors needed to make a difference.
“There is a slight improvement in malnutrition levels on the side of Uganda. The Nutrition Advocacy and Communication (NA&C) Strategy will help in addressing nutrition in Uganda,” noted Mohammed Bendech, Senior Nutritionist at the Food and Agriculture Organization.
SPRING was invited to the function as a key partner to participate in unveiling the communication strategy together with representatives from FANTA and UNICEF. Led by SPRING Uganda Chief of Party, Manohar Shenoy, the team joined the Prime Minister to perform the ceremony.
SPRING will now continue to provide technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to share these messages at community and household levels.