Kampala, Uganda: The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has launched a national flagship campaign aimed at boosting dietary diversity and promoting vegetable consumption among Ugandan households, starting with mothers.
The campaign, unveiled on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Hotel Africana in Kampala, urges Ugandan women to take the lead in transforming household nutrition through healthier food choices.
Dubbed Super Moms – Maama Owakabi, the campaign is part of GAIN’s broader Vegetables for All initiative targeting Uganda’s dangerously low vegetable consumption, currently averaging just 45 grams per person per day, well below the World Health Organization’s recommended 200 grams.
“Vegetables remain one of the healthiest food groups, and yet our intake as a country remains shockingly low,” said Mr. Enock Musinguzi, GAIN Uganda Country Director. “Our ‘Super Moms’ campaign is not just a tagline, it’s a movement. We want to empower women and caregivers to take charge of their families’ health by adding more vegetables to their meals.”
Musinguzi outlined GAIN’s strategic rollout across eight districts, Kampala, Wakiso, Nwoya, Mukono, Ntungamo, Kayunga, Jinja, and Mbale, focusing on market facilitation, improving access to fresh vegetables, and running intensive demand-generation campaigns. He noted that the initiative is expected to reach over 3 million people, particularly mothers.
In a pre-recorded message played at the function, GAIN Executive Director Dr. Lawrence Haddad emphasized a shift in global food systems toward quality and diversity, saying, “It’s no longer just about calories, it’s about nourishment, about vitamins, minerals, and diet quality. GAIN is bridging the gap between food systems and nutrition by connecting government and private sector actors to transform how we eat.”
Delivering remarks on behalf of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Ms. Martha Nakyagaba, the Authority’s Nutrition focal person, painted a sobering picture of Kampala’s nutrition situation.
According to her, scientific assessments indicate that 50% of women and 20% of men in the city are either overweight or obese. Childhood obesity has doubled in the last five years.
“Clearly, we have a problem we must address. Many residents work long hours, and food options at workplaces are limited or unhealthy. That, combined with food safety concerns and marketing of junk food, compounds the crisis,” Nakyagaba said.
However, the KCCA officer applauded GAIN’s inclusive approach to engaging food vendors, producers, and employers, and reiterated the authority’s commitment to implementing its Nutrition Action Plan.
“We must each play a role. The change begins with us. And this campaign offers a much-needed alternative voice, one that promotes better dietary choices.”
Beyond advocacy, GAIN is rolling out several complementary interventions, including:
- The Cascade Project – supporting policy advocacy and food safety training.
- Workforce Nutrition Program – reaching over 18,000 employees across 11 companies with wellness checks, healthy meals, and nutrition education.
- School Feeding Initiative – working with Kampala schools to assess dietary patterns of over 4,000 learners and advocate for healthier procurement practices.
Representing the Dutch government, Ms. Marijke lauded the multisectoral cooperation in Uganda’s nutrition space and emphasized the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting sustainable food systems in Africa.
“In the Netherlands, healthy diets and sustainability are close to our hearts. We’re proud to partner not just as donors, but as equal collaborators. GAIN’s approach shifts the focus from availability to desirability, making nutritious food attractive and accessible,” she said.
Marijke noted that the Dutch government is exploring new forms of collaboration with Uganda that emphasize partnership over aid, reflecting changing dynamics in global cooperation.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition Security in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alex Bambona, described the campaign as timely and aligned with government priorities. “This is the collaborative energy we need to combat the triple burden of malnutrition, hunger, and rising non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Mbale LC5 Chairperson Mr. Mafabi Muhammad also commended the initiative, citing local government efforts such as community “Farmer Field Days” that encourage vegetable production and consumption. “What GAIN is doing is empowering us at the grassroots. It’s now our duty to live by example and promote this culture in our homes and communities,” Mafabi remarked.
GAIN Country Director Mr. Musinguzi extended gratitude to the Dutch government and other partners for their unwavering support. “This partnership proves that when government, civil society, and the private sector unite, we can drive real, lasting change in Uganda’s nutrition landscape,” he said.
The event was attended by leaders from government ministries, local government, development agencies, academia, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.
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