Uganda Launches £3.8 Million Door-to-Door Campaign to Save 20,000 Malnourished Refugee Children
Uganda, 21 March 2026
A groundbreaking healthcare initiative has begun across Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts, with Village Health Teams conducting household screenings to identify severely malnourished children. The programme targets 13 districts housing nearly two million refugees, where malnutrition rates reach alarming levels - Kiryandongo District alone reports 8% acute malnutrition amongst its population that is 45% refugee. Digital data collection using tablets will track real-time progress as health workers distribute therapeutic foods and provide immunisations. The campaign addresses a critical gap in healthcare provision, with some districts operating at just 38% staffing levels and one nutritionist serving entire regions.
How to Access the Screening Programme
Village Health Teams (VHTs) are conducting the screenings directly at households across the 13 targeted districts [1]. Families do not need to travel to healthcare facilities or register in advance - the teams will visit homes systematically throughout the campaign period. When VHTs identify a malnourished child during their assessment, they will immediately refer the child to nearby health facilities equipped with therapeutic foods and treatment programmes [1]. The screening process involves measuring children’s nutritional status using standardised protocols, with results recorded digitally on tablets for real-time monitoring [1].
Eligibility and Treatment Coverage
The programme targets children under five years of age in both refugee settlements and host communities across 13 districts, including Adjumani, Terego, Obongi, Madi-Okollo, Koboko, Yumbe, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, Isingiro, Kikuube and Kiryandongo [1]. Children identified with severe acute malnutrition will receive ready-to-use therapeutic foods, specialised formulas, immunisations, vitamin A supplementation, and deworming treatment [1]. The initiative serves refugees from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Eritrea and Burundi, alongside Ugandan host community children [1]. Dr Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, emphasised that ‘vulnerable households must not be left out’ in the screening process [1].
Scale of Uganda’s Refugee Crisis
Uganda currently hosts approximately 1,961,518 registered refugees, creating substantial pressure on local health services [1]. In Kiryandongo District alone, the population of 365,000 includes more than 45% refugees, whilst the district operates at just 38% staffing levels with only one nutritionist for the entire area [1]. Dr Irene Nabitaka, Acting District Health Officer, explained the challenge: ‘There’s a high burden on health services with about 165,000 refugees from South Sudan, DR Congo, Sudan, Eritrea and Burundi’ [1]. The Global Acute Malnutrition rate in Kiryandongo District stands at 8%, highlighting the urgent need for intervention [1].
National Context and Child Health Statistics
The Uganda-specific programme addresses a broader national crisis, with the 2022 Uganda demographic health survey revealing that over 2.4 million children suffer from chronic under-nutrition (stunting) [1]. Nationally, 26% of children under five are stunted, whilst 4% suffer from wasting (acute malnutrition) [1]. These figures align with concerning global trends, where 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, with nearly half of these deaths occurring in fragile and conflict-affected settings [4]. Dr Olaro warned that ‘children who suffer from severe wasting are at a much higher risk of illness and death if they do not receive timely services’ [1].