Uganda Celebrates World Food Day 2025: “Hand in Hand for Better Food, Better Future

Kampala, Uganda Uganda will Thursday 16th .October.2025 join the global community in marking World Food Day under the banner “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The annual observance — now in its 45th edition — is being used by the Ugandan government, civil society, and local communities to spotlight the intertwined challenges of malnutrition, food waste, climate resilience, and urban food access.

At the heart of the country’s observances will be the national celebrations scheduled at the Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Kyembogo Station, near Fort Portal. The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has urged all stakeholders to act collaboratively — from government bodies and researchers to the private sector and grassroots organizations — in building more inclusive, waste-aware, and nutritious food systems.

Understanding Uganda’s Food Security Landscape in 2025

Uganda is in a complex phase concerning food security and nutrition. The challenges are multi-dimensional — from food access and affordability to climate stress and urban pressures.

Key statistics & trends

In recent national studies, about 42.2% of sampled households reported worrying about having enough food.

Approximately 25.2% admitted to skipping meals, and 32.1% said they consumed less food than needed.

According to IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) data, up to 797,000 people in refugee-hosting districts are in IPC Phase 3 or above, facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

In the period from August 2023 to January 2024, about 846,000 people (20% of the analyzed population) in Uganda were in crisis or worse food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+). Projections suggest this may rise again.

More broadly, the World Bank notes persistent difficulties among Ugandan households in accessing essential goods including cooking oil, rice, and bread.

These figures underscore that the challenge is not simply producing food, but ensuring equitable access, affordability, nutrition quality, and system resilience.

Why Kampala Matters in the National Conversation

While rural areas are often at the center of Uganda’s agricultural narrative, Kampala occupies a unique and critical position in the food ecosystem:

Research mapping Kampala’s “foodshed” shows that around 50% of food consumed in the city comes from within 120 km, with about 10% produced within city boundaries itself.

Urban agriculture is no longer marginal — in Kampala, poultry farming and small-scale crop production have become part of evolving livelihoods, attracting not only low-income households but even middle-income urban farmers.

Local government has begun to embrace urban agriculture formally: under city planning and “Edible Landscape” projects, Kampala City Council has leased land for food growing, though many small farmers remain unaware of the policies or lack resources to benefit.

Kampala also hosts many refugee and migrant populations who settle outside formal camps. Studies indicate that these urban refugees face heightened food security vulnerabilities because of weak social safety nets and limited policy support.

Thus, Kampala is more than a consumer market — it’s a testing ground for policies, innovations, and the interface between urban life and national food system demands.

Uganda’s Priorities for World Food Day 2025

In line with the FAO’s global theme and local imperatives, Uganda is emphasizing several core domains of action:

Nutrition & Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): The “Hand in Hand” theme is being reframed in Uganda to address the rising burden of diet-related illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity — conditions increasingly shaped by poor diet quality.

Climate-smart & resilient agriculture: Given the strong vulnerability of farmers to climate shocks (70–97% predicted to be affected) , Uganda is promoting sustainable practices, drought-tolerant crops, better water management, and agroecological techniques.

Reducing food loss & waste: The government has called on all levels — farmers, traders, households — to adopt measures that curb post-harvest losses, use better storage, and reallocate surplus food.

Strengthening research & innovation: The national celebration venue (Rwebitaba) is itself an agricultural research institute. Events will spotlight scientific breakthroughs, extension services, and technological solutions.

Institutional coordination & policy coherence: Minister Tumwebaze has stressed the need for cohesive action among ministries, local governments, NGOs, and private sector actors.

Voices from the Ground: Local Perspectives

Urban farmer / poultry keeper Kawempe Kampala: “I began raising chickens five years ago to supplement my income and feed my family. On days when market prices drop, I face losses, but at least I’m less dependent on distant suppliers.”

Market vendor (Kalerwe or Nakasero): “I see waste every day — fruits discarded, vegetables unsold. If we had better cold storage or quicker transport, less would go to waste.”

Nutritionist / health worker: “Over the past decade, we’ve seen more cases of diabetes, hypertension, and overweight children in Kampala. Food is abundant, but the quality and diversity often fall short.”

Refugee or urban migrant household: “We came to Kampala hoping for opportunity. But paying rent, feeding children, and accessing clean water leave very little margin. We skip meals sometimes if money is tight.”

City official / local councillor: “We support more urban gardens and food policies in our plans. But many residents don’t yet know these opportunities exist — communication must improve.”

What Ugandans in Kampala (and Beyond) Can Do

Here are action steps directed at urban and national audiences:

1. Grow small-scale, nutritious crops — even backyard gardens or container farming helps.
2. Buy local, seasonal produce — support farmers within 120 km of Kampala and cut emissions & transport losses.
3. Reduce waste in your household — plan meals, store food properly, compost organic scraps.
4. Advocate for city policies — demand that Kampala council expands land access, extension services, and incentives for urban agriculture.
5. Educate & shift diets — prioritize legumes, vegetables, whole grains; reduce overconsumption of processed foods.
6. Partner & network — NGOs, civic groups, faith organizations, and youth clubs can host nutrition fairs, cooking demos, or food drives.