Gov’t called to protect citizens against junk food

The government through its political leaders and policymakers was also urged to take steps to protect its citizens against inorganic foods which are permeating society at a high rate.

Mr. Christopher Kyeswa, the Board Chairman of PELUM Uganda sounded the call at the Indigenous and Traditional Food and Seed Fair, held as part of the Agroecology Week 2023 at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

Mr Kyeswa warned that the penetration of junk food in the country could critically harm Uganda’s population not just through bad health, but also through cultural erosion. 

“We cannot protect the foundation of our food system if we ignore our traditional foods and take them off our menus. We cannot talk about cultural diversity yet when we go home, we go back to our imported chicken in the junk food restaurants,” he said.

“Even in terms of patriotism, we cannot claim to love our country when we ignore what actually belongs to us and rush for what doesn't."

“Our political leaders and policymakers need to understand the meaning of food that it is not just a fuel that drives our bodies, but it embodies our very own culture and tradition and survival.’

The indigenous food expo attracted farmers, producers, and processors of local foods in Uganda.

These showcased a wide range of foods including tubers, legumes, fruits and vegetables, seeds, farming implements, and technologies that do not involve the use of chemicals and synthetic elements in food production.

Ms Grace Nambatya, the ED National Chemotherapeutics at the Ministry of Health also emphasized the need for Uganda to embrace the production and consumption of their indigenous in order to beat some of the most dangerous non-communicable diseases.

“Everybody needs to understand what is happening, that there are lots of cancers in our societies today because we are eating wrongly,” Nambatya warned.

“We have to emphasize the promotion of farming practices that minimize environmental impacts and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs."

The Indigenous and Traditional Food and Seed Fair was the 13th of its kind and was held under the theme; “Nurturing healthy, nutritious, and resilient food systems for all”