Kamuli, Uganda: More than 5,000 learners across five primary schools and one secondary school in Kamuli District are benefiting from a school feeding programme run by the Iowa State University Uganda Program (ISU-UP) aimed at fighting hunger and improving school attendance.
The initiative, which has been running since 2006, focuses on supporting learners through improved nutrition while strengthening education and community empowerment.
Under the programme, pupils receive daily breakfast and lunch, helping them stay in school and concentrate better in class.
For lunch, learners are served Nyoyo, a nutritious mixture of maize and beans, while breakfast consists of porridge made from amaranth grains, soya beans and milk, a nutrient-rich combination designed to support child growth and learning.
Beyond providing meals, the programme has also supported the construction of modern kitchens and sanitation facilities in beneficiary schools, making food preparation and service more efficient and dignified.
The school feeding initiative operates on a community partnership model, with parents, learners and the Iowa State University Uganda Program all contributing to sustain the project.
Parents contribute between four and six kilograms of maize and firewood, depending on seasonal harvests and household capacity.
Learners also participate by helping maintain school gardens, fetching firewood and keeping kitchens clean, activities that organisers say help build responsibility and practical life skills.
During periods of drought or poor harvests when families struggle to contribute food, the ISU-UP team steps in to bridge the gap and ensure meals continue.
The feeding programme is also integrated with other initiatives implemented by ISU-UP including agronomy, livestock, architecture and vocational skilling programmes. Through these projects, learners are exposed to practical knowledge such as food production, animal care and nutrition.
According to Gideon Nadiope, ISU-UP National and Country Director, the programme goes beyond addressing hunger. “This programme is more than a meal. It is an act of love and a statement of belief that every child, regardless of background, deserves to learn, grow and dream with a full stomach,” Nadiope said.
Improved School Attendance and Performance
Kamuli District Education Officer Joseph Waibi said schools participating in the feeding programme have recorded improved enrolment, retention and attendance. He added that access to school meals has helped reduce absenteeism and improved concentration among learners.
“The availability of meals at school has increased enrolment and retention, but above all reduced absenteeism and vulnerability among girls who previously sought food from boda-boda riders or sugarcane cutters in exchange for favours,” Waibi said.
Valentine Oboth, headteacher of Naluwoli Primary School, said hunger previously forced many learners to skip school. “Feeding in Naluwoli was really tough. Students could not come to school because of hunger. But now that is changing,” he said.
At Namasagali Primary School, cook Edisa Kasowole expressed gratitude for the programme. “These meals mean everything to our children,” she said.
Some learners compared the initiative to the Biblical feeding of the 5,000, saying it has transformed their school experience. “We used to starve but now we feel strong in class. We do not miss school anymore,” said Dalton Ochege, a Primary Five pupil.
Funding Challenges Remain
Despite its success, the programme faces funding constraints which limit its ability to expand to more schools in Kamuli District. Many schools have expressed interest in joining the initiative but resources remain insufficient.
ISU-UP has called upon parents, communities, government and development partners to support the expansion of sustainable school feeding programmes.
The Iowa State University Uganda Program is managed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, working in Kamuli District to enhance food security, nutrition and education outcomes.
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