UPC’s Jimmy Akena urges government to prioritize fight against child malnutrition and improve healthcare

16 July 2026, 2:26 pm

By Baker Okello

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena has called on the government to redirect its political priorities toward addressing child malnutrition and strengthening the country’s healthcare system, warning that malnutrition contributes to an estimated 84,000 infant deaths every year in Uganda.

Akena made the remarks while addressing a press conference at the UPC Party Headquarters, Uganda House on Wednesday July 15th.

He said the persistent shortage of essential medicines continues to increase preventable deaths by leaving treatable illnesses unmanaged. According to Akena, medicine stock-outs worsen patients’ health conditions, contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases due to interrupted treatment, and result in fatal delays in accessing critical medical care.

He further noted that inadequate health facilities and poor-quality healthcare services remain major contributors to high mortality rates. He explained that limited health infrastructure restricts access to life-saving interventions, maternal healthcare, and basic medical treatment, causing many preventable illnesses to become fatal.

Reflecting on Uganda’s past, Akena said that during the early 1970s, the UPC government made significant investments in the health sector as part of its commitment to citizens’ welfare. He argued that renewed investment in healthcare is essential to improve service delivery and save lives.

He also highlighted the growing burden of child malnutrition, noting that children make up about 26 percent of Uganda’s population. He described malnutrition as a critical public health challenge, particularly among children under the age of five, many of whom continue to suffer from stunting caused by chronic under nutrition.

Akena emphasized that tackling malnutrition requires a comprehensive approach involving community education, improved nutrition, and timely medical intervention. He proposed strengthening community health initiatives by empowering Village Health Teams (VHTs) to conduct routine household screenings, enabling the early identification and treatment of acute malnutrition before complications develop.

He urged the government to invest more resources in preventive healthcare and child nutrition programmes, arguing that protecting children’s health is essential for Uganda’s long-term social and economic development.