In preparation for the 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) hosted a two-day nutrition dialogue in Uganda,
centred on workforce nutrition programs and their impact on employees’ health and wellbeing. The event brought together more than 300 participants from a
diverse range of stakeholders. These included representatives from financial institutions, healthcare, technology providers, marketing experts, academia, civil society organizations, food producers, and government officials from different
ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Health, Public Services, and the Office of the Prime Minister which works as the leader of government business in Uganda.
Participants highlighted that strengthening workforce nutrition programs across their four pillars – Healthy food at work, Nutrition education, Nutrition health checks, and Breastfeeding support – can help contribute to achieving key
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). However, the lack of a national workforce nutrition policy and clear guidelines serves as a significant challenge to implementing workforce nutrition programs in Uganda. Additionally, limited data availability of the impact of workforce nutrition programmes, in terms of both employee health and wellbeing, and the business profit, was identified as a strong bottleneck.
Addressing policy gaps, data limitations, and funding shortages is crucial for
implementing effective workforce nutrition programs. Empowering workers with nutrition education, healthy food at work, promoting fortified foods, and supporting breastfeeding mothers can reduce malnutrition in Uganda, as well as enhance health and productivity at both the individual and national levels.
Click here to know more about Uganda’s contributions to the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit.