Summary:
- Katakwi General Hospital reports 40-50 cases of child malnutrition every Thursday, largely due to inadequate feeding practices.
KATAKWI: In an effort to improve the performance of government-aided schools in Katakwi district, local authorities have launched a campaign aimed at educating parents of children attending Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools about the importance of the school feeding program.
The school feeding initiative, which was first introduced by Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, in 2017, followed a strategic assessment by the National Planning Authority of Uganda’s progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal Two.
Despite its good intentions, the program has faced challenges in implementation, primarily due to a lack of parental support.
Currently, in Katakwi district, only candidates and teachers are provided with mid-day meals, leaving younger students without adequate nutrition.
Angela Akengo, the Secretary of Health and District Councilor for Kapujan Sub County, discussed the issue on Monday, January 6, 2025 and explained that efforts are now underway to use local events—such as church gatherings, burials, and other community forums—to educate parents on the importance of feeding their children at school.
Akengo also revealed that she plans to present a recommendation to the health committee for district council approval, proposing an ordinance to support the school feeding program while awaiting a formal government policy on the issue.
According to Akengo, the implementation of a comprehensive school feeding program would significantly improve academic performance and help retain students in school.
She stressed the importance of nourishing children to enhance their learning abilities and overall well-being.
In addition to the academic benefits, Akengo highlighted a serious health concern: Katakwi General Hospital reports 40-50 cases of child malnutrition every Thursday, largely due to inadequate feeding practices.
These figures underscore the critical need for better nutrition in the district, as malnutrition can have devastating long-term effects.
Malnutrition hampers physical and cognitive development, leading to stunted growth, diminished intellectual abilities, and poor educational outcomes.
It also weakens the immune system, making children more vulnerable to illness and infection.
In the long term, malnutrition can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
Akengo has called on parents to support the school feeding program as a critical step toward fostering the brain development and future success of their children.
