In Uganda, approximately 797,000 people (about 17 per cent of the population analysed) in refugee-hosting districts are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above).

Currently, an estimated 54,000 children aged between 6 and 59 months and 9,800 pregnant or lactating women suffer from acute malnutrition in refugee settlements and urban refugee populations. The situation is expected to worsen: between February and June 2025, the number of people in need of urgent action is projected to rise to 953,000 (21 per cent of the population analysed). Adjumani, Isingiro, Koboko, Madi Okollo, and Obongi districts are expected to experience a phase change from Stressed (Phase 2) to Crisis (Phase 3). The main drivers of acute food insecurity in Uganda are: poor rainfall performance; prolonged dry spells; rising food prices; low purchasing power; crop and livestock pests and diseases; and conflicts between host communities and refugees.

Action Against Hunger works in 16 districts and 12 refugee settlements across Uganda. Our teams provided Health and Nutrition services including primary healthcare for 427,365 children under five, 114,354 pregnant and lactating women and 152,593 adults. Nutrition activities reached over 600,000 people.

We improved Food Security and Livelihoods conditions by supporting 31,707 farmers and setting up an irrigation system that produces 150,000 liters of water per day. Over 50,084 people benefitted from increased water access from our Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) outreaches. Additionally, Action Against Hunger conducted 15 advocacy meetings regarding the legal and policy frameworks. We developed 16 Knowledge products for evidence-based advocacy, including eight position papers presented to parliamentary committees to advance budgeting for Nutrition and WASH services. This resulted in the adoption of 36 proposals by the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and the Budget Committee.

Furthermore, we engaged sub-national levels and advocated for the establishment of District Nutrition Coordination Committees (DNCCs) and Sub-county Nutrition Coordination Committees (SNCCs) to support drive nutrition agendas. As a result, three DNCCs and 2 SNCCs were set up, while two were revamped (those that were dormant/non-functional). We also supported them to develop District Nutrition Advocacy Plans to enhance coordination of multisectoral nutrition efforts.