Right2Grow Uganda

Just wrapped up an incredible youth dialogue in Kitumba Sub-County- Kabale District on building youth resilience in and !

Over 60 participants from Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, UGANDA NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL, Uganda AIDS Commissn , Youth Councilors, community youth, CSOs, District and subcounty leaders, both technical and political, as well as media joined us to make this International Youth Day remarkable.

Mr. Mondo Kyateka, the Commissioner for and , delivered a powerful keynote speech. He not only pledged the government's support for youth but also encouraged them to actively participate in available government programs and seize leadership roles. He reminded everyone that it is important to have children that they are able to provide for, feed well and care for.

The Hunger Project Uganda Head of Programs, Mrs. Evelyn Namubiru Tondo, delivered an insightful overview of our work, followed by a captivating panel discussion and experience sharing on youth challenges, opportunities, support and engagement in food and nutrition.

We are inspired by the outcomes of this dialogue!
Some of the key actions that emerged include promoting mindset change even at household level, enhancing awareness about nutrition and food among youth, providing mentorship and support, and ensuring that youth have a say in decisions that affect them directly.

This dialogue contributes to the National event that will be happening tomorrow in Kabale District officiated by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of .

Let's keep the momentum going as we work towards positive change together!

Kabale District Local Government Amani InitiativeTouch the Heart UgandaGerald KatoRight2GrowGirls Not BridesWorld Vision Uganda.Phiona NyamutoroFood Rights Alliance - FRA

“ ranks 2nd to in the entire continent in budget transparency. However, public participation in planning and budget process is still low. We need to cascade knowledge and skill to the grassroots person,” Gerald Kato Right2Grow Uganda Country Coordinator.

“Our goal is to ensure all children reach their full potential in uganda. But we cannot achieve that when children below 5 years are still getting stunted at a rate of 27percent and some districts registering over 40 percent.

Budget Monitoring and Expenditure Tracking (BMET) is aligned to our lobby and advocacy approach of Bridge4Voices which aspires to bring community voices to influence and shape the advocacy agenda for nutrition in uganda.

I am sure with this training, more citzens will be inspired to engage in planning and budgeting process,” Gerald Kato Right2Grow Uganda Country Coordinator, giving remarks at the ongoing two day’s CSO BMET training organized by Food Rights Alliance - FRA.

We are strengthening our local leaders’ skills and knowledge on Budget Monitoring and Expenditure Tracking as well as Community Voice and Action in Nwoya district.

between communities and their leaders for improved service delivery!

Children under 5 make up 9% of the population, but carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden.

As we celebrate , we call upon parents, government & CSOs to prioritize food safety standards for this young and vital generation for the future of our nation.

Gerald KatoViolah NayebareWorld Vision Uganda.Wilmat Development FoundationGirls Not BridesAmani InitiativeRight2GrowTouch the Heart UgandaThe Hunger Project NLMovement for Community-led DevelopmentThe Hunger ProjectCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIAmani InitiativeRaising Teenagers-UgandaFood Rights Alliance - FRAThe Movement for Community Led Development - Uganda Chapter

Did you know that over 200 diseases are caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances such as heavy metals?

🤔How safe is the food that you eat or feed your family on and how can it be improved?

Gerald Kato World Vision Uganda.Girls Not BridesWilmat Development FoundationRight2GrowTouch the Heart UgandaMovement for Community-led DevelopmentThe Hunger Project NLThe Hunger ProjectFood Rights Alliance - FRA

This week, partners joined other nutrition actors in a retreat convened by the to validate mid term review findings on National Development Plan III on nutrition.

This space also created an an opportunity to further discuss key nutrition indicators and how they are or not aligned to the program based systems and the PIAPs.

Create Impact Initiative in partnership with The Hunger Project Uganda through the Right2Grow Uganda program conducted parish consultative meetings in Kamuganguzi subcounty - Kabale District.

The meeting brought together 29 participants including VHTs, Parish Chiefs and subcounty security staff who identified advocacy issues on nutrition, WASH practices and food security.

The identified issues will be presented before the Kamuganguzi Subcounty Coordination Committee as well as the Kabale District Nutrition Coordination Committee for further action.

Fosca Niwagaba Wilmat Development Foundation Movement for Community-led Development Amani Initiative Gerald Kato

Our day one of the Annual Planning Workshop ended successfully👌.

The team reflected on the Theory of Change which we still believe is very relevant and speaks to the program.

We also engaged in a deep discussion of each activity under each of the four program outcomes as indicated by different partners in their 2023 plans and very constructive feedback came up.

As we kick start our day 2 today, we are looking forward to a very comprehensive 2023 implementation plan after the three days of this planning workshop 🤗

Movement for Community-led DevelopmentCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDICivil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaAmani InitiativeWorld Vision Uganda.The Hunger ProjectRight2GrowWilmat Development FoundationNixon OchatreMatte JockasGerald KatoFood Rights Alliance - FRARaising Teenagers-UgandaJOY FOR CHILDREN -UGANDA

"The Youths are the largest population in Uganda with 77% under 30 years, this population is the future of our nation and should be supported, empowered and engaged in the entirety of food systems for Uganda to be a food secure nation,"
Fosca Niwagaba, Project Officer, Create Impact Initiative

"History has taught us that the best time to plant a tree is now not tomorrow. It is time for youths to be holistically empowered and fully engaged in solving community challenges of hunger and poverty not just as participants," Nixon Ochatre Founder, Amani Initiative and Chairperson, Movement for Community-led Development Uganda Chapter

Meet Nalukwago Naswira, a student of Social Work at Bishop Stuart University. She is a rabbit farmer and passionately empowers other young women in rabbit farming to improve their meat accessibility, boost food security and improve nutrition.

She strives for a nation where all young women are empowered to increase productivity and end hunger

"My name is Asiimwe Maureen, I am a practical Environmental Activist advocating for the protection of old native trees and promoting the planting of new samplings.

Climate change is one of the causes of hunger and malnutrition globally. In the battle against climate change, planting of trees is a very strong ally that everyone should support. It is very crucial for youth to get involved in planting the right species of trees in the right area to improve and maintain ecological balance and soil conservation. Well conserved soils will have nutrients and microorganisms that are responsible for high crop yields. This will increase food security in our families and the entire country.

I call upon all stakeholders to vigorously sensitize communities on soil conservation to improve food production, end hunger and malnutrition. Donors should focus more on financing environmental conservation projects at the grassroot and organizations working on ending malnutrition and hunger"

"Every Youth has the power to change their statusquo and build resilient food systems with their knowledge and innovative ideas. The youth should do a self-discovery, accept who they are and learn from other successful persons around them as role models" Mr. Matte Jockas Wilmat Development Foundation

“The Youth should consume, appreciate and fall in love with healthy nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits to stop malnutrition in all its forms. As young energetic people, they should support the establishment of kitchen gardens in their households.” Mrs. Twebaze Jeniffer, Kabale District Nutrition Focal Person

The Hunger Project Uganda through Right2Grow program on 9th July participated in the "Hike for the Girl Child" campaign organised by Raising Teenagers-Uganda to specifically bring to light and raise awareness on the unique malnutrition challenges young mothers and their children face as well as to share improved WASH practices with girls and other community members in Eastern Uganda.

There are a number of predisposing factors that put children of young mothers at risk of and and one of them is limited access to water and hygiene facilities.

What are those unique factors in your country/community that put children of teenage mothers at risk of and negative effects in regards to ?

“It is vital to rekindle the spirit of optimism that accompanied the launch of the SDGs. There are many examples of grassroots people making great strides to achieve the SDGs and these must be highlighted and celebrated,” Dr. Daisy Owomugasho, The Hunger Project East Africa Regional Director.

While speaking today at the UN event, Dr. Daisy rooted for community voices and funding towards grassroot actions to attain .

We therefore call for more efforts to be directed towards empowering actors at community level without leaving anyone behind.

Following the organized early this month by The Hunger ProjectUganda through program; where among other action points participants committed to sensitize communities on and , Mrs. Jennifer Twebaze, the Kabale District Nutrition Focal Person held a sensitization meeting today with 20 mothers belonging to Kabale All Saints Central East Zone Mothers Union group.

While discussing the of a child’s growth and best practices on WASH, she encouraged pregnant mothers to eat clean foods rich in Iron, Zinc and vitamin A to boost the children’s brain development. She also asked them to make antenatal visits and follow up on growth monitoring and immunization of their children.

After this discussion, mothers committed to establish kitchen gardens whereas those with limited space will use gunny bags to grow vegetables on their verandas.

Together for every child to reach their full potential 💪
Movement for Community-led Development Gerald KatoWorld Vision Uganda.Right2GrowCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIUNICEF UgandaMinistry of Health- UgandaWilmat Development FoundationFood Rights Alliance - FRAAmani InitiativeZOA UgandaViolah NayebareSave the Maracha GirlCivil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaHope Nankunda

As they matched in Soweto, so did we in Kampala today to commemorate the Children that were massacred while demonstrating for their right to education.

Right2Grow Uganda partners in partnership with under Uganda Parliamentary Alliance on Food and Nutrition Security(UPA-FNS) and students from Holy Family Secondary School today matched from Independence Monument to Parliament of Uganda where we held a press conference in commemoration of and . We highlighted harmful practices affecting children’s and as well as called upon key stakeholders to address the existing gaps.

Among other commitments, Members of Parliament under UPA-FNS committed to spearhead the passing of the Food and Nutrition Bill for improved Nutrition outcomes for children.
The Hunger Project Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaGerald KatoWorld Vision Uganda.UNICEF UgandaMinistry of Health- UgandaWilmat Development FoundationCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMovement for Community-led DevelopmentFood Rights Alliance - FRAZOA UgandaHope NankundaAmani InitiativeViolah NayebareSave the Maracha Girl

“If we end malnutrition, we will all be able to save money which has always been spent on Nutrition and WASH related health complications,” The Deputy CAO of Nwoya district, Mr. Budraa Steven mentioned this while officiating the training at Oruka Epicenter which intends to identify community resource persons as well as equip them with knowledge and skills on nutrition and WASH.

He also called upon the Animators to change their behavior and attitude in regards to nutrition and WASH. He referred to malnutrition and hunger as very critical issues in the District and actually committed himself to write recommendation letters for THP to solicit for more funding in this area.

The CAO appreciates The Hunger Project for not only providing services to the community but also accepting to work in collaboration with and support local CBOs. He asked participants to be self reliant in everything they do to sustainably end hunger and malnutrition.

This training is one of the four activities that Right2Grow will hold in Nwoya district this week. The identified persons from the four Parishes of Purongo will be equipped and Commissioned to act as ambassadors, advocate for and champion the adoption of improved food security, nutrition, WASH practices and better service delivery standards in the communities. They will also capture and raise community concerns at Parish level to the CSO Nutrition platform which will present them before the DNCC

World Vision Uganda.Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaGerald KatoUNICEF UgandaMinistry of Health- UgandaRight2GrowWilmat Development FoundationCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMovement for Community-led DevelopmentFood Rights Alliance - FRAAmani InitiativeZOA UgandaNWOYA District LOCAL GovernmnetSave the Maracha GirlHope NankundaViolah Nayebare

Do not miss this opportunity to learn the best approaches on ending hunger and malnutrition 🙌. Dr. Daisy Owomugasho, The Hunger Project Regional Director will break down the journey towards a with zero hunger and zero malnutrition tonight from 9:00pm at UBC TV.

The Right2Grow Uganda Team from The Hunger Project this morning had a partnership meeting with ZOA Uganda Acholi Programme.

Just like R2G, ZOA is implementing a power of voices strategic partnership "We are Able” that is funded by Dutch Government dedicated to nutrition and levilihood advocacy for persons with disability.

Our partnership engagements started last year and since then, The Hunger Project- Uganda in Nwoya District led by Drake Namanya has had various engagements with ZOA who works in the same sub counties of Purongo and Lungullu where R2G is implemented. They mobilized 25 groups of whom they have asked to open bank accounts with The Hunger Project SACCO at Oruka Epicenter.

In the meeting today, The We Are Able Hub Manager took the THP-U staff through the basics of sign laguage interpretation.

The Hunger Project Uganda intends to explore possibilities of collaborating to train selected persons from our two sub counties in sign language interpretation and do joint advocacy engagements on nutrition and livelihoods in Nwoya District.

Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaGerald KatoUNICEF UgandaMinistry of Health- UgandaWorld Vision Uganda.Wilmat Development FoundationCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMovement for Community-led DevelopmentFood Rights Alliance - FRANWOYA District LOCAL GovernmnetAmani InitiativeHope NankundaViolah Nayebare

“There is a lot to do especially in areas of feeding, we need to train mothers on nutritious feeding at household level if we are to improve the status of nutrition,” the Deputy RDC, Koliba Kotevu Monicha stated yesterday as The Hunger Project Uganda signed an MOU with Maracha District Local Government to implement Right2Grow program in the District up to 31 Dec 2025.

Mr. Wambi Richard, the Deputy CAO who signed on behalf of the district asked the implementing partners to make a real difference in nutrition outcomes and not just spending money. The signing was also witnessed by Sam Dramani the Head of Community based services at the District.

The Right2Grow programme is implemented collaboratively with Amani Initiative and Save the Maracha Girl as District CSO implementing partners.

Gerald KatoWorld Vision Uganda.Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaUNICEF UgandaRight2GrowMinistry of Health- UgandaCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMovement for Community-led DevelopmentWilmat Development FoundationFood Rights Alliance - FRAZOA UgandaHope Nankunda

The NWOYA District LOCAL Governmnet Vice Chairman, Hon. Kenneth Odongo who also doubles as the Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning has accepted The Hunger Project Uganda’s call to be the Right2Grow Uganda Ambassador in Nwoya District.

As an Ambassador, he has made a commitment to be an advocate of multi-sectoral response to address malnutrition and raise the profile of Nutrition in the district.

He joins our National Ambassador, Hon. Milton Muwuma, MP Kigulu South who also chairs the Uganda Parliamentary Alliance on Food and Nutrition Security.

Looking forward to reaching greater milestones on Nutrition in Uganda.

Gerald Kato Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaWorld Vision Uganda.Community Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIWilmat Development FoundationMovement for Community-led Development

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With support from the Movement for Community-led Development Uganda- MCLD-U through the Right2Grow Uganda and The Hunger Project Uganda, Wilmat Development Foundation - WDF and Multipurpose Training Community Empowerment Association - MTCEA are in Bugweri District in Eastern Uganda conducting an assessment of Household performance in Good Food Nutrition and WASH practices in the sub-counties of Ibulanku and Igombe respectively.

The end goal of this mapping is to select key model households that are outstanding in terms of nutrition and WASH from the villages selected to participate in the assessment.

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The Hunger Project Uganda through the Right2Grow Uganda Program is undertaking a mapping exercise of Public Health Facilities in Bugweri Kabale Maracha and Nwoya districts precisely in two subcounties per district.

This exercise will use the Ministry of Health- Uganda Nutrition Service Delivery Assessment Tool to generate basic information on gaps and needs in and service delivery which will inform advocacy efforts on strengthening WASH and Nutrition service delivery within the aforementioned districts.

We kick started the exercise today with an orientation of the Enumerators consisting of CBOs and district Officials on how to use the tool and the entire process of the exercise.

The focus areas of the exercise will mainly be on the Integration of nutrition in the health facility work plan and budget, Capacity to offer nutrition services like availability of Human Resources trained in nutrition and Quality Improvement, availability of facility nutrition equipment, store and logistic management for nutrition commodities and Monitoring and Evaluation for nutrition, etc.

is well represented at the Sanitation and Water for All stakeholders meeting to among others prepare for the upcoming Sector Ministers Meeting where Ministers in the Uganda Water Sector as well as R2G will participate.

The meeting held today at Protea Hotel was convened by UNICEF and attended by various stakeholders including government, CSOs, external support, private sector, media research & learning.

Community Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDI World Vision Uganda.Gerald KatoThe Hunger ProjectMinistry of Health- UgandaUNICEF UgandaCivil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaRight2GrowFood Rights Alliance - FRASave the Children Nederland

Join Lydia Kituyi in sensitizing and empowering women on good WASH and Nutrition practices, ending malnutrition starts with you.

Around 12 SDGs have indicators that are directly related to nutrition, for us to achieve these SDGs, Ending malnutrition is very crucial.

Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaUNICEF UgandaMinistry of Health- UgandaMinistry of Gender, Labour and Social DevelopmentPlan International UgandaHope NankundaGerald KatoViolah NayebareWorld Vision Uganda.The Hunger ProjectRight2GrowRight2Grow EthiopiaAmani InitiativeGirls Not BridesZOA Uganda

are critical for child nutrition especially during the first 1000 days of life, we appreciate and celebrate all women's efforts towards ending malnutrition and poor WASH practices, A HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY TO YOU

Movement for Community-led DevelopmentWilmat Development FoundationCivil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaFood Rights Alliance - FRAWorld Vision Uganda.UNICEF UgandaAmani InitiativeCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMinistry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and FisheriesMinistry of Health- UgandaMinistry of Gender, Labour and Social DevelopmentZOA UgandaSave the Children NederlandHope NankundaGerald Kato

Excitement as the Maracha District Chief Administrative Officer representative, Mr. Wadia Modest announces the Official of the Maracha District CSO Nutrition Platform.

With the leadership of The Hunger Project-Uganda, a CSO Nutrition Platform has been formed and launched in Maracha District . It will be chaired by Amani Initiative’s Florence Amaguru with John Adobo from Save the Maracha Girl as Secretary and Vicient Dratele from Maracha District Farmers Association as Treasurer. This team will be reporting directly to the District Nutrition Focal Person.

This initiative intends to strengthen the participation of CSOs in the multi-sectoral coordination and monitoring framework for effective nutrition advocacy, full participation and accountability.

The platform operations are in line with the key outcome of the strategy that aims at having CSOs and CBOs with the legitimacy and capacity to voice concerns of the marginalized and disempowered. It further aligns with the District and Uganda Nutrition Action Plans which call for joint collaboration on addressing nutrition issues of the district.

The members of this Forum will table community concerns to the District Nutrition Coordination Committee through the District Nutrition Focal Person with the aim of influencing decision making, policies and legislation at local government.

With this grassroot platform in place, THP-U through R2G program hopes to build and improve Local level Nutrition advocacy by CSOs and CBOs. We also plan to have such a platform at National level with support of Office of the Prime Minister - OPM, Uganda.

Movement for Community-led Development Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaFood Rights Alliance - FRAWorld Vision Uganda.UNICEF UgandaCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMinistry of Health- UgandaMinistry of Gender, Labour and Social DevelopmentMinistry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and FisheriesWilmat Development FoundationZOA UgandaPlan International UgandaSave the Children NederlandGerald KatoHope NankundaGirls Not Brides

The Hunger Project-Uganda through Right2Grow Uganda is today holding a meeting with key nutrition stakeholders including Women Councilors, District Officials, religious leaders, CSOs and CBOs to form and launch a CSO Nutrition Platform in Nwoya District.

Participants have highlighted Gender Based Violence, teenage pregnancies, failure to involve men in sensitization programs and trainings, cultural practices, to mention but a few as the drivers of malnutrition in the area.

They have called for more research in the district on Nutrition, men involvement, community sensitization , advocating for kitchen gardens, using a multi-sectoral approach, capacity building, etc to reduce the malnutrition cases.

At the moment, the team is setting the terms of collaboration and voting leaders of the platform. After this activity, we hope to have a well functional and capacitated forum on Nutrition in Nwoya district.

A similar platform will be constituted in Kabale Bugweri and Maracha districts to encourage the alignment of CSO strategies, programs and resources with District plans for scaling up nutrition.

Movement for Community-led DevelopmentWilmat Development FoundationCivil Society Budget Advocacy Group - UgandaFood Rights Alliance - FRAGerald KatoWorld Vision Uganda.Amani InitiativeCommunity Integrated Development Initiatives-CIDIMinistry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and FisheriesAction Against Hunger USAUNICEF UgandaMinistry of Health- UgandaMinistry of Gender, Labour and Social DevelopmentSave the Children NederlandZOA UgandaPlan International UgandaBRACGirls Not Brides

Financing Nutrition and WASH initiatives at all levels should be a priority of the for it to fully achieve an increase in household income. Read article below;👇

Safe drinking and are fundamental to the good , and of all, however, this is not a reality in Kiziranfumbi SubCounty-Kikuube district where 32 villages depend on less than 20 boreholes.

https://newvisionapp.page.link/HJRKL5NiF5cnUhPQ8

Access to safe water key for better nutrition among children Read more