Putting nutrition at the frontline

30 November 2025, 8:38 pm

Byamukama Alozious

Kamara Daniel, a dedicated nutritionist has been recognized as Outstanding Nutritionist of the Year 2025 during the 6th Heroes in Health Awards held in Kampala on 14th November 2025. This milestone achievement marks a significant shift in how health systems, communities, and future health workers view nutrition – as the foundation of modern, resilient care.

Daniel’s journey from Bwindi to national recognition is a testament to his commitment to practical, people-centered nutrition work. As a practising nutritionist at Bwindi Community Hospital and Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre, he has led numerous public campaigns, including the 90 Days of Zero Sugar Challenge, 50 Days Fruits and Vegetable Campaign, and Hydration Week. These initiatives have inspired thousands of Ugandans to adopt healthier habits and make informed choices about their diet.

What sets Daniel apart is his insistence on integrating nutrition into healthcare services. He advocates for joint planning, cross-sector budgeting, and routine nutrition education, ensuring that nutrition is not siloed in specialty clinics but is a core component of maternal and child health services, chronic-disease clinics, and community outreach programs.

Daniel’s work has two immediate benefits: better patient outcomes and a stronger, more flexible workforce. By training nurses, community health workers, and clinicians in basic nutrition, care becomes more holistic and preventive, catching problems earlier and reducing strain on acute services.

The impact of Daniel’s work extends beyond Uganda’s borders. His model of linking grassroots campaigns to policy conversations and clinical practice is replicable in low- and middle-income settings worldwide. As countries grapple with malnutrition and diet-related diseases, elevating nutrition within health system leadership sends a clear signal: invest in prevention, train the workforce, and make healthy choices easier for everyone.

Daniel’s achievement is a call to action for governments, donors, and institutions to invest in nutrition training, fund community programs, and support nutritionists who translate research into practice.