The Office of the Prime Minister Uganda has today released a report titled ‘Pathways to Better Nutrition’ that highlights the success and progress so far using the multi-sectoral approach to address under-nutrition in Uganda.
The report which was supported by Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING), a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project was based on findings
carried out over a two-year period (2013 – 2015)at the national and in Kisoro and Lira districts, which in the past had reported high cases of under or malnutrition. For instance, in 2013 Kisoro alone had 51.4 percent of its children stunted while in 2013 Lira had 59 percent of its children under two years of age anemic.
Mr. Manohar Shenoy, Chief of Party SPRING said, ‘The SPRING project carried out the Pathways to Better Nutrition studies in two countries Uganda (2013–2015) and Nepal (2014–2016) to document the decision-making process in prioritizing and funding nutrition-relevant activities within the context of the Uganda Nutrition Action Plans (UNAP).
Developed within the context of national policy and legal frameworks, UNAP set its own goal for nutrition; which requires the engagement of multiple sectors and partners from the Government of Uganda. The main goal of the
UNAP is to reduce malnutrition levels among women of reproductive age, infants, and young children. The UNAP builds on previous national and regional policies, most notably the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Initiative, African Regional Nutrition Strategy, National Development Plan, the Uganda Food and Nutrition Policy (2003) and Strategy (2005) and nutrition-related sections of sector investment plans including, health; education; and agriculture.
Amanda Pomeroy, Stevens, the Research and Evaluation Advisor added that the results of the Pathways to Better Nutrition study show that UNAP has not only scaled up nutrition but also played an important role in increasing knowledge and perceptions related to prioritization and financing for nutrition using a multi-sectoral approach.
Ms. Christine Gutwadde Kintu, the Permanent Secretary from the Office of Prime Minister said that with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and renewed Global support for nutrition have further accelerated the return
of the multi-sectoral approach to the forefront of the nutrition activity.
In Uganda, the multi-stakeholders focusing on nutrition-related issues under the UNAP include: the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Health development partner groups, United Nations groups; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), academia, and the private sector which is loosely organized by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
SPRING also suggests the following recommendations, based on the findings from the PBN study as well as advice and suggestions from stakeholders:
1. The best way to scale up nutrition in Uganda would be the full institutionalization of the UNAP into planning, financing, staffing, and implementation structures on a national scale.
2. Consider alliances across stakeholder platforms to support the UNAP in scaling up nutrition.
3. It will be important to dedicate more government funding to the human resources needed to coordinate nutrition activities in order to improve on the strength and sustainability of the UNAP structure.
4. To champion the cause of good nutrition, cultivate a mix of high-level, mid-level, and grass roots advocates who are well versed in UNAP.
5. Strengthen communication between nutrition focal points and planning offices such that opportunities and ability of the nutrition technical and budget staff can be shared through information systems.
6. Consider options to institutionalize funding for nutrition because financing is a critical part of sustainability and is the ultimate demonstration of commitment for nutrition.
7. A unified planning approach, led by the Government of Uganda is the best way to decide what nutrition activities need external funding support. This means that external Partners such as donors, UN groups, and private sector shall do better to align their planning of nutrition activities with Government of Uganda planning processes.
8. Place nutrition in each sector’s investment and development plans such that commitment to nutrition can be accelerated and sustained within the ministries.
9. Approve and implement the UNAP monitoring and evaluation framework as soon as possible.
10. Improve bottom up planning processes to better meet needs at the local level especially at the district.