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Civil society raises concerns over excessive food waste

Atukunda called for the construction of a robust national food delivery system.
10 reasons Ugandans are ordering food more than cooking home-made meals
10 reasons Ugandans are ordering food more than cooking home-made meals

During a press conference, the Food Rights Alliance (FRA), a non-governmental organisation, expressed concern about the amount of food wasted in the country.

According to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report, Uganda loses 6462 metric tonnes of food waste from restaurants and other food hubs, while farmers lose 30–50% of their crops, mainly grain, fruit, and vegetables, post-harvest, and 80% on farms.

Speaking to journalists at FRA's Kampala offices on the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, Claire Atukunda, programme manager at FRA, said this is a major loss in a country where over 10 million Ugandans are food insecure.

To reverse this trend, Atukunda called for the construction of a robust national food delivery system.

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"In this country, we advocate for the establishment of a clear and formidable food distribution system. There is a need for a mechanism that would allow us to grow our food and distribute it to other sections of the country so that people may have food throughout the year," she said.

Ugandans were also urged to shun cultural conventions and practices such as weddings, which have a significant impact on consumption and contribute to food waste.

According to Gerald Kato, an administrator for Hunger Project Uganda, a lot of food goes to waste as most invited people cannot finish it all. He encouraged giving to the needy.

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