As a Nutritionist in Uganda, I commend His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for prioritizing nutrition in his recent call for a nationwide public health education campaign. His emphasis on proper nutrition and discipline, particularly among young people and athletes, is a timely and welcome step toward improving the health and future of our country. Nutrition is not a side issue it is foundational to national development, physical performance, academic excellence, and disease prevention.
The President’s statement that “matooke with salt is not enough” reflects a deep truth. Many Ugandans, especially in rural and underserved communities, still rely heavily on starchy staples with minimal diversity. This kind of diet may fill stomachs but does not provide the protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for healthy growth and brain development. We need urgent and coordinated efforts to educate our people on body-building foods, balanced diets, and lifestyle choices that support long-term health.
Unfortunately, our current nutritional landscape presents serious challenges. In urban centres, the increasing consumption of fast foods, junk snacks, and sugary drinks is alarming. Many young people now prefer chips, fried chicken, and sodas over traditional, nutritious meals. The influence of fast-food culture, busy lifestyles, and convenience is replacing home-cooked meals with highly processed and unhealthy options. In rural areas, limited access to diverse foods and poor nutrition knowledge remain pressing issues.
There is also widespread misinformation about what constitutes healthy eating. Some believe proteins like eggs, milk, or meat are only for the wealthy, while others avoid certain vegetables or fruits due to myths. This lack of understanding is compounded by minimal nutrition education in schools, markets, road buses, limited health communication campaigns, and an absence of consistent media messaging. We must change this narrative, and the President’s vision offers a strong starting point.
Effective nutrition education should be practical and locally relevant. We must teach people how to prepare balanced meals using affordable, accessible local foods such as beans, groundnuts, silverfish, greens, and fruits. Education materials should clearly explain food groups, proper child feeding practices, and the unique dietary needs of adolescents, pregnant women, and athletes. Cooking demonstrations, school gardens, and nutrition clubs can provide hands-on learning in schools and communities.
Moreover, radio and sports platforms can be powerful tools for change. The President’s idea of using radio every two weeks to share nutrition messages is excellent. Uganda’s sports personalities and media figures can act as influential messengers, sharing how good nutrition fuels performance and prevents disease. We need to move nutrition out of conferences and hospitals and into the public space, community, household and individual’s media like on radio, TV, Buses, Markets, in churches, on sports fields, and at community gatherings.
Improved nutrition education will lead to positive shifts in Uganda’s health indicators. We can reduce childhood stunting, anaemia, and undernutrition while also preventing the growing threats of obesity and lifestyle diseases. With well-nourished children, we will see better school attendance, improved concentration, and higher academic performance. Healthy youth also mean stronger athletes, better national teams, and increased sports participation.
Nutrition is not only about individual health it is a national investment. When we nourish minds and bodies, we build a more productive workforce, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen our resilience to crises. The President rightly noted that peace and education have already unleashed talent. Now, imagine what we can achieve when we add strong nutrition systems and awareness.
To ensure sustainability and visibility, I respectfully urge the President to appoint a National Nutritionist Ambassador. This role could be filled by a Nutritionist who is a public figure can champion nutrition across platforms. A Nutrition Ambassador would work with ministries, schools, media houses, and community groups to keep nutrition awareness active and visible nationwide. This ambassador can also bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and everyday Ugandans by delivering messages in relatable and inspiring ways.
I thank President Museveni for putting nutrition on the national agenda. His leadership has opened the door for all of us educators, health workers, athletes, parents, and community leaders to play a role in promoting healthy eating. Let us build on this momentum to create a culture of nutrition that supports our young people, empowers families, and strengthens Uganda’s future.
Let this campaign not be a one-time message, but a national movement. Because when we feed our nation right, we fuel the greatness within us.
Kamara Daniel- Nutritionist, Bwindi Community Hospital
