Building Nutrition Sensitive Programming for Women and Children Project
Introduction
Malnutrition remains a pressing challenge in Uganda, particularly among women and children in vulnerable communities. Limited access to nutritious food, inadequate dietary diversity, and economic constraints contribute to poor health outcomes, especially in rural regions. The Sebei and Bugisu sub-regions in the Mount Elgon region of Eastern Uganda face significant nutritional challenges, particularly among women and children under five years of age. Despite Uganda’s overall progress in reducing malnutrition, these regions continue to experience high rates of undernutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies.
According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2021, the Eastern region, which encompasses both Sebei and Bugisu, reported a stunting rate of 29% among children under five, higher than the national average of 26%. Wasting and underweight prevalence in this region were 5% and 14%, respectively, indicating acute and chronic undernutrition issues. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin A and iron, remain prevalent, affecting children’s immune systems and cognitive development.
In response, Paramount Research Triangle Consortium (PRTC) Uganda partnered with a USAID-funded Feed the Future Water and Food Systems Activity (FTF WFSA). It implemented a nutrition-sensitive program aimed at improving food security, health, and economic opportunities for women, children, and marginalized groups.
Project Background
The USAID Uganda FTF WFSA is a five-year initiative (2023-2028) designed to enhance food and water security in Northeastern Uganda, particularly in the Kyoga Basin. The activity aims to empower communities to mitigate shocks and stressors, improve livelihoods, promote nutrition and health, address conflict drivers, and reduce dependency on humanitarian aid.
PRTC aligned with this initiative to combat food insecurity and malnutrition in the Sebei sub-region, covering the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Bukwo, and Bulambuli. Through a three-pronged Care Group Approach, the program integrated Nutrition Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) interventions with the Community Maternal, Infant, Young Child, and Adolescent Nutrition (C-MIYCAN) strategy to enhance household nutrition practices. The project also incorporated Agriculture and Livelihood Interventions to improve the economic well-being of target groups while prioritizing marginalized communities, including women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and remote populations like the Benet and Shana.
Key Interventions
The project aimed to increase the production, distribution, demand, and consumption of nutritious food among women and children under five. Through community-based maternal and child nutrition programs, PRTC worked with Village Health Teams (VHTs), Health Assistants (HAs), Community Development Officers, Agricultural Officers, and District Nutrition Focal Persons (DNFPs) to promote awareness of diversified diets, optimal breastfeeding, complementary feeding practices, and maternal nutrition.
Different District Stakeholders of Bukwo DLG during a district inception meeting of the project launch at Sulel Guest.
To ensure sustainable food production and economic empowerment, PRTC collaborated with private sector partners, including Sebei Farmers’ Cooperative for financial services, Simlaw Seeds Uganda Ltd for quality seeds, AgriNet and Devine Organic Foods Ltd for nutrient-dense food distribution, Bukoola Chemical Industries Ltd for organic fertilizers, Aid Environment for agroecological practices, and Food for the Hungry for nutrition technologies.
At PRTC, we are committed to improving food security and nutrition by increasing the production of nutrient-dense foods through innovative, community-driven approaches. Our activities focused on engaging the private sector, empowering women and youth, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. Here’s a look at some of the key initiatives we’ve been working on:
Community-based nutrition education. PRTC worked with District Health Teams and local health workers to train 96 VHTs (community volunteers) in C-MIYCAN (Community-based Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition) and facilitated the establishment of 240 mother care groups. These groups were engaged in monthly sessions focused on optimal breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and dietary practices for women and children. Additionally, community dialogues have addressed dietary barriers and promoted the consumption of diverse and nutritious diets.
Two day VHT Orientation on C-MIYCAN at Bulambuli District Local Government
Partnering with private agro-input providers. We have partnered with agro-input dealers and climate-smart agronomic service providers to increase access to essential seeds and inputs for indigenous and bio-improved crops. Through the establishment of 24 nursery gardens and collaborations with companies like Devine Organic Ltd., we’ve engaged farmers in the Sebei and Bugisu sub-regions to produce carrots, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, high-protein maize, and vegetables. Our efforts include organizing community open days and providing training in good agronomic practices, post-harvest management, and market linkages for guaranteed buy-back programs.
Training the marginalized Benet mother care groups of Kween District on the consumption of diverse diet and the adoption of optimal dietary practices for women and Cu5,
Climate-smart kitchen gardens. PRTC has set up diversified climate-smart kitchen gardens in 48 parishes, targeting care groups and communities at large. In partnership with agriculture extension workers and input distributors, we’ve trained local farmers, women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWDs) on climate-smart gardening techniques. These efforts have not only increased the adoption of indigenous vegetables but also fostered the transfer of knowledge to households and communities.
A VHT of Kaptanya Sub-county, Kapchorwa District supporting a mother on how to manage a multiplication site
Post-harvest management training. To ensure the preservation of nutrient-dense foods, we’ve trained 3,600 women in post-harvest handling practices. In collaboration with local extension workers and private service providers, women have learned how to use solar dryers and other simple preservation methods to store dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, and bio-fortified foods. We also supported women’s savings groups to help them acquire post-harvest handling technologies.
Sub-county Staff & mother care groups of Binyiny in Kween District during a community dialogue on optimal dietary practices for women and Cu5, and how to address the specific behavioral barriers.
Promoting women’s access to agricultural inputs and animal source foods. Through seed banking and trading, we’ve empowered women-led SMEs to increase access to Indigenous crops and animal-source foods like milk and eggs. By linking these groups with microfinance institutions and providing financial literacy training, we’ve supported women and youth in establishing profitable enterprises that promote nutrient-dense foods.
Strengthening private sector engagement. PRTC has promoted the Village Agents Model (VAM), a holistic approach to improving access to agricultural inputs and services. Through training private sector actors and SMEs, we’ve enhanced the last-mile distribution of inputs and technologies, particularly in remote areas. This model empowers village agents to organize farmers, provide extension services, and link farmer groups to financial services, ensuring that marginalized groups have access to affordable inputs and markets.
Private Sector Actors, SMEs, and Agricultural Officers from the 4 districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Bulambuli and Bukwo during a group photo on a one-day training on the Village Agent Model (VAM) at KADFA Hall Kapchorwa.
Commitment to Gender Equity, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GEYSI) across all activities, we prioritize the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups. With more than 95% of our care groups being women, we ensure that all project activities are designed to reach those who need them most, with special attention to those with disabilities. Gender and age-disaggregated data were used to track and enhance participation, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
PRTC Staff and VHTs during the commomeration of 16 days of Activism against GBV at Kapchorwa Boma Grounds
Through these efforts, PRTC is driving sustainable agricultural practices, increasing the production of nutritious foods, and empowering communities for a healthier and more resilient future.
Impact and Expected Outcomes
Despite the challenges faced due to the grant termination, the project slightly achieved significant milestones, including:
- Increased production of nutrient-rich foods through private-sector engagement.
- Enhanced consumption of diverse foods among women and children.
- Expanded private sector participation in agricultural inputs, technologies, and nutrient-dense food distribution.
- Strengthened community health systems to improve accessibility to nutrition services.
- Economic empowerment of women and youth, equipping them with financial literacy, access to credit, and income-generating activities to improve household nutrition.
PRTC set a target of reaching 22,000 children under five years of age and contributing to USAID’s nutrition indicators, including:
- EG.3.3-10: Percentage of female participants in USG nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities consuming a diet with minimum diversity.
- HL.9-1: Number of children under five reached with core nutrition interventions.
Challenges and the grant termination
Although PRTC made significant progress in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition, the project faced a major setback when USAID terminated foreign assistance following President Trump’s Executive Order 14169 “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid”. This unexpected decision disrupted funding, limiting the program’s ability to fully implement its objectives and reach its intended beneficiaries. The termination of the grant highlights the vulnerability of externally funded initiatives and the need for sustainable, locally-driven solutions.
The way forward
While the funding cuts presented challenges, PRTC remains committed to strengthening nutrition-sensitive programming in the Sebei sub-region. Moving forward, the organization is exploring alternative funding sources, strategic partnerships, and local stakeholder engagement to sustain and expand the impact of its interventions. The goal is to continue promoting climate-smart agriculture, improved dietary diversity, and economic resilience among vulnerable populations.
Addressing malnutrition requires sustained investment, collaborative partnerships, and community-driven solutions. While the grant termination posed significant challenges, the work initiated by PRTC underscores the importance of nutrition-sensitive agriculture and health interventions in improving the well-being of women and children. We call upon development partners, policymakers, and the private sector to support locally-led initiatives to ensure that no child suffers from malnutrition due to funding disruptions. Together, we can build resilient, self-sustaining food systems for the people of Eastern Uganda.
For more information about Paramount Research Triangle Consortium (PRTC) Uganda and its initiatives, visit our website or follow us on our social media platforms.
