Parliamentary Nutrition Week Concludes with Calls for Increased Investment in Nutrition

The recently concluded Parliamentary Nutrition Week, held from Monday, 22nd to Thursday, 25th May 2023, under the theme "Fuel for the Future," brought together parliamentarians, government ministries, development partners, and civil society organizations to raise awareness and address the critical issue of food and nutrition security in the country.

The week's activities kicked off with a vibrant march from the Independence Monument to the Parliament of Uganda, commissioned by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who was represented by Dr. Charlse Ayume, MP from Koboko district and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health. In his address during a briefing after the march, Dr. Ayume pledged to introduce the Food and Nutrition Bill, one of the items discussed during the week, before the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

During the event, Right2Grow's Communications Focal Person, Mrs. Violah Nayebare, on behalf of the Program Coordinator, enlightened participants about the objectives and significance of the Right2Grow program. She stressed the importance of engaging with communities at the grassroots level, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their proposed solutions are considered in policymaking processes at all levels of government.

One of the highlights of the week was witnessing the Chair of UPA-FNS, Hon. Milton Muwuma, deliver a statement on nutrition on the floor of Parliament. In his address, Hon. Muwuma called upon the government to support timely distribution of seeds and the nationwide rollout of tractor distribution programs, which can significantly boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, he urged all companies to establish breastfeeding corners, promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infant's life.

The week concluded with a press conference held at the Parliament of Uganda, where Mrs. Nayebare, read Right2Grow Uganda program's official statement, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among the government, private sector, and development partners to prioritize nutrition, increase investment and allocate adequate resources to combat malnutrition effectively.

With the aim of promoting the adoption of similar initiatives in various workplaces and public spaces for breastfeeding mothers to have supportive breastfeeding environments, participants had the opportunity to visit Parliament’s breastfeeding corner.

The commitment displayed by parliamentarians, development partners, ministries and CSOs set the stage for tangible action and policy changes that will transform the lives of Ugandans for the better.