**2.4 Recommendations**


**105**

*Food and Nutrition Security in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania): Status, Challenges…*

• Strengthen community capacity to prepare for future nutrition crises by

• Support innovative programmes that provide the support of the integrated management of acute malnutrition, with contributions from local and inter-

Uganda's economy has in recent years grown at a slower pace, thus reducing its impact on incomes and poverty reduction. Average annual growth rate was 4.5% from 2011 to 2016, compared to the 7% achieved during the 1990s and early 2000s [32]. The slowdown was mainly driven by adverse weather, unrest in South Sudan, private sector credit constraints, and the poor management of public sector projects. However, the economy rebounded in the second half of 2017, driven largely by growth in information and communication technology services and favorable weather conditions for the agricultural sector. GDP growth adjusted for inflation was above 5% in 2018 and rose further to about 6% in 2019 [33]. For better performance, the outlook would require continued good weather, favorable external conditions to boost demand for exports and an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) and inflows as oil production draws closer, and capital investments are executed as planned. Reliance on rain-fed agriculture, however, remains a downside risk to growth, personal incomes and export earnings from the agriculture sector. In the long-run, delays and poor management of public investment programs could prevent the productivity gains expected from enhanced infrastructure, while acceleration in domestic arrears may have an adverse impact on private investment which may further limit the extension of credit. Finally, regional instability and a continued influx of refugees is likely to undermine exports and disrupt growth in refugee hosting parts of Uganda. The intensifying conflicts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, currently Uganda's 2nd and 4th top export destinations, respectively, is likely to negatively affect the growth of Uganda's exports. Uganda has a population of close to 42 million by 2019 estimates [34] and has an equatorial type of climate with rainfall in most of the country standing annually at 1000 to 1500 mL, but which can be as high as 2000 mL in the Lake Victoria basin [35]. Karamoja Region, parts of Teso and Acholi Regions in the north, receive much less rainfall with a tendency to be unpredictable and unreliable. The Official Government report issued in 2014 showed that about 83% of the Ugandan population can be classified under Phase 1 Category of minimal or no food insecurity threats, and, was able to meet their dietary and non-food requirements without stress [36]. The report showed wide access and affordability of the food available in the markets with the majority of the population being able to obtain three meals a day of a diversified diet. Only about 1% of the general Ugandan population qualified to be in IPC category 3-a situation of food crisis. Uganda like other EAC

national partners to deter food and nutrition insecurity

**3.1 The economy, agriculture and social development**

• Enforce the provisions of "The Breastfeeding Mothers Bil"l (2017), which aims to protect women's right to breastfeed in the workplace and public places. This bill once enforced should further promote breastfeeding in Kenya, which is

providing staffing, training, and resources for community-based management

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95036*

of acute malnutrition

**3. Uganda**

critical to infant health and development

*Food and Nutrition Security in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania): Status, Challenges… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95036*

