Health experts are raising alarms over the growing cases of malnutrition in Isingiro District, attributing the crisis to food insecurity and a lack of nutritional awareness among households.
Dalton Babukiika, a senior nutritionist at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, highlighted that many residents, particularly those in refugee settlements, face severe food insecurity, with children frequently lacking access to balanced diets. He explained that many households prioritize selling essential food items, leaving families with carbohydrate-heavy meals like posho, a factor contributing to high rates of stunting in children.
Mariam Adoa, the Assistant District Health Officer for Isingiro, noted that the situation is worsened by cultural and time constraints. She pointed out that some parents, especially mothers, take their children to the gardens, where they are left to eat only scraps, as time is insufficient to prepare proper meals.
Authorities are urging households to prioritize balanced diets and calling for community interventions to address the root causes of malnutrition in the district.
Story by Aggrey Twesigye
