Although Uganda has made progress in food production in the region many people especially women, children, and low-income communities still face barriers to accessing safe, nutritious, and affordable diets resulting into malnutrition and diet-related diseases Gain Uganda Project Manager Barbra Balungi has revealed.
She made the remarks at the inaugural Ebyendiisa Expo 2026 atwo-day experience that brings together agriculture, nutrition, and food system actors to close the gap between food availability and real consumption issues at Lugogo in Kampala.
According to Balungi the initiative aims to transforms nutrition from information into experience through food, learning, and culture.
“Uganda produces enough nutritious food, but gaps remain in how it is stored, prepared, and consumed. This leads to food loss and diets that don’t always reflect what is available,”she stated.
“The Ebyendiisa Expo bridges this gap by turning nutrition into a practical, hands-on experience where people can see, taste, and learn better food practices.It shifts nutrition from awareness to action making healthy eating simple, practical, and part of everyday life,”Balungi explained.
Organised by GAIN Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and other partners, the two-day Expo brings together food innovators, farmers,nutrition experts, and consumers under one platform to bridge the gap between food availability and proper nutrition.
GAIN Uganda Country Director Damali Ssali said the Expo is designed to move beyond discussions into practical solutions.
“We are not just talking about healthy diets, we are demonstrating them. Participants will learn how to prepare nutritious meals, access healthy food options, and even purchase these products directly from exhibitors,”she stated.
She further noted that nutrition directly affects labour productivity, education outcomes, and national economic performance, warning that malnutrition can cost countries up to 3% of GDP annually.
SSali stressed thst platforms like Ebyendiisa Expo are critical in linking producers, processors, and consumers, while strengthening value chains and market access.
Senior Policy Officer Josephat Byaruhanga from Embassy of Netherland said Uganda’s challenge is no longer food production, but utilisation.
“Uganda produces a lot of food, but consuming it properly remains a challenge. This Expo helps people understand how to prepare and consume food better,” he said.
Byaruhanga called for increased research into indigenous vegetables such as nakati and dodo, noting their high nutritional value.
According to Ministry of Health national data, 26% of children under five are stunted while anaemia affects more than half of children and nearly a third of women, highlighting persistent gaps in dietary practices.
KCCA Nutritionist Martha Nakyagaba Mutumba urged city dwellers to embrace initiatives lIke Ebyendiisa to learn and expereince nutrition practices. “Many Kampala residents rely on purchased food and are therefore vulnerable to malnutrition despite availability.This is why urban farming and nutrition awareness are critical,”she said.
Barbra Balungi Gain Project reaffirmed commitment to strengthening Uganda’s food system in partnership with local stakeholders.
“We shall continue to 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,’she stressed.
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.
