National Labor Day amplifies the fact that life begins and ends with food. All work and efforts put are to make sure that each person and their families have food on the table. From a larger perspective, Ugandans work not only to support themselves but also to build the nation. As such, it is crucial that the Ugandan government puts in place strategies to feed the people that work each day at the grassroot to ensure the prosperity of this country.
During the recently held 2nd National Right to Food Conference held at Makerere University, it was highlighted that the country grapples with high rates of malnutrition, with stunting at 23% and the consumption of the minimum acceptable diets at only 11.8% among children under 5 years. While the conference applauded the continuous efforts of all governments in promoting food security in Uganda through projects like the parish development model, emyoga, and many others, more needs to be done, particularly in ensuring the effective implementation of food and nutrition policies.
Credit goes to civil societies and individuals who constantly advocate for the advancement of the human right to adequate food, improvement of workers’ rights to a decent wage/salary, accountability of the taxpayers’ funds, and quality service delivery in all sectors. Food Rights Alliance has continuously shaken the tables of those who forget the feeling of hunger and have no interest in supporting vulnerable populations by mobilizing the masses to demand their rights and holding stakeholders accountable.
We cannot forget the general population that has worked hard to maintain the food supply in their homes. To the farmers in this country, you hold the heart of the nation by producing the food we consume. We call upon the Ugandan government to care and focus on its people. Henceforth, there is need for agricultural policies that focus on local markets and systems rather than export market. Ugandans, let us produce to feed Uganda first and foremost, if we are to enhance economic development. That is what the “Buy Uganda Build Uganda” actually entails.
By Margaret Nabukenya
Program Assistant- Food and Nutrition Security