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Butaleja District, Eastern Uganda

Details

READING TIME

3 min

CATEGORY

News

AUTHOR

Africhan

TOPIC

Outreach

AfriCHAN Conducts Major Nutrition Outreach in Butaleja District

The African Centre for Health and Nutrition (AfriCHAN) successfully conducted a large-scale community nutrition outreach in Butaleja District, marking one of the region’s most impactful interventions this year. The outreach targeted children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and vulnerable households—delivering critical services aimed at reducing malnutrition and improving overall community health.

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Over 3,000 beneficiaries received support across five subcounties, proving AfriCHAN’s commitment to strengthening health services at the grassroots level.

Background

Butaleja District continues to face persistent challenges relating to child malnutrition, food insecurity, and limited access to health services. Recent assessments showed: High rates of acute malnutrition among children under five Poor dietary diversity at household level Insufficient access to nutrition education Gaps in community health worker training Increased vulnerability due to floods and crop losses These realities necessitated an urgent and coordinated response.

Community Impact

The outreach produced immediate and visible results: Increased awareness of nutrition and maternal health Early identification of severe cases Improved community confidence in health systems Strengthened partnership between AfriCHAN and local health structures Empowerment of Village Health Teams (VHTs) to continue work independently Local leaders expressed gratitude for AfriCHAN’s consistent presence in the district.

What the Outreach Covered

The AfriCHAN outreach team — consisting of nutritionists, field officers, community health volunteers, and district health staff — set up temporary service points in schools, churches, markets, and trading centres.

Nutrition Screening for Children Under Five

Using MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) tapes and weight-height assessments, the team screened: 2,100+ children for acute malnutrition Identified 146 cases of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) Identified 32 cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) requiring urgent referral All severe cases were immediately linked to nearby health facilities for therapeutic feeding programs.

Referrals and Follow-Ups

Children and mothers who required additional care were: Registered Given referral slips Linked to health facilities Scheduled for follow-up visits by community health volunteers This ensures continuity of care.

Nutrition Counselling and Education

AfriCHAN educators conducted group and one-on-one sessions addressing: Balanced diets using locally available foods Proper complementary feeding after 6 months Food hygiene and safe preparation Preventing childhood illnesses through nutrition Home gardening for improved household food security Community members requested more frequent sessions as demand exceeded expectations.

Maternal Health Support

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers received: Breastfeeding counselling Nutrition guidance Iron and folic acid supplement referrals Education on antenatal and postnatal care Many mothers were unaware of key nutrition practices, making this intervention especially timely.

Voices from the Community

– Mother from Busolwe

I had no idea my child was malnourished until AfriCHAN screened him today. I am grateful they showed me what to do.”

- Village Chairperson, Naweyo

We rarely get such services here. This has saved lives.”

– Health Assistant, Butaleja

The counselling has helped many mothers understand the importance of good feeding.”

Next Steps

AfriCHAN plans to: Continue monthly follow-up visits Conduct community cooking demonstrations Train more VHTs on nutrition assessment Expand outreach to neighbouring districts Partner with local schools to promote child-friendly nutrition programs A more comprehensive nutrition improvement project is also underway.

Conclusion

The nutrition outreach in Butaleja has reaffirmed AfriCHAN’s mission to strengthen community health systems and ensure that every child has access to proper nutrition. With continuous interventions, community engagement, and evidence-based strategies, AfriCHAN remains committed to fighting malnutrition in Uganda.