41% OF KABAROLE CHILDREN STUNTED DUE TO MALNUTRITION

By Wilson Asiimwe
In Kabarole–

41% of children aged six and below in Kabarole have stunted growth and 53% are anemic due to malnutrition.

Apollo Katisa the project coordinator for Uganda Mult –Sectoral food
security and nutrition project said on Saturday in Fort Portal town that
malnutrition is still a very big challenge especially in the rural parts of
Kabarole.

Katisa said that they had established school gardens in over 100 schools to sensitize both the learners and teachers on good feeding.

“Kabarole is still grappling with high cases of malnutrition which accounts for 41% of stunted children and 53% of anaemic we are working with schools in ensuring that children learn how to prepare and preserve local foods for proper nutrition,” Katisa said.

Jacob Businge a nutrition expert at Fort Portal regional referral hospital
said that malnutrition accounts for over 50% of the deaths among children aged six and below at the facility.

He said micro-nutrient deficient are widespread among children in Kabarole with 40% of children under five years are deficient in vitamin A while 40% of women between the ages of 15 and 50 are anemic.

Rehema Nabukeera, a member of the Orugali group under the Kabarole Resource and Research center (KRC) and Hivos, non-government organizations that advocate for the consumption and preservation of indigenous foods said that they are currently sensitizing people on the consumption of local food as one way of fighting malnutrition.

Nabukeera said that in 2016 several farmers were trained on how to prepare
and preserve indigenous food so as to fight malnutrition.

Some of the trained farmers
“As Orugali group we work with KRC and Hivos to advocate for the
consumption and preservation of indigenous foods through food festivals at
community level or major events,” Nabukeera said.

Nabukeera said the group also uses traditional cooking methods that
preserve food values and keep the food safe.

The indigenous food advocate is also a member of the Coalition of the
Willing-a group of 20 people which consist of National Organic Agriculture Movement, Fort Portal Municipal council, village councilors, street food vendors, small and medium enterprises, elders and artists mentored and supported by KRC that voluntarily came together to raise voices and concerns about healthy diets and the general food system in Kabarole District.

Currently malnutrition stands at 41.6% in Kabarole higher than the national rate of 35% according to the ministry of health.
Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
Email: wmuhwezi75gmail.com
Tel:+256702680106.