Agency
Nwoya District has introduced a groundbreaking measure aimed at addressing food insecurity and malnutrition by making it compulsory for every household to reserve at least 500 kilograms of food crops.
This move is part of the district’s broader effort to ensure families are adequately prepared for periods of food scarcity.
The ordinance requires that households stock a variety of food crops, including energy-giving foods like finger millet, sweet potatoes, maize, sorghum, rice, yams, cassava, and pumpkins.
In addition, households are required to reserve body-building foods such as soybeans, beans, pigeon peas, sesame, green gram, and green peas.
The district council approved the Food and Nutrition Security Ordinance, 2024, on December 10, 2024, which also requires every household to establish and maintain backyard gardens for a steady supply of vegetables and fruits.
The bill specifies that each household must plant at least five varieties of fruits, including mangoes, citrus, bananas, pineapples, guavas, jackfruit, pawpaw, and avocado.
Further, the ordinance outlines provisions for food preservation, requiring households to have at least 500 kilograms of cereals and pulses stored in granaries.
Additionally, it mandates maintaining a food security garden with mature cassava, sweet potatoes, or yams on no less than half an acre. It also encourages the preservation of perishable food through methods such as drying vegetables.
Section 9 (2) of the ordinance stipulates that heads of households not involved in agricultural production or animal rearing must engage in alternative livelihood activities to ensure food security.
Those who fail to comply with the law will face penalties, including a fine of up to two currency points or imprisonment for up to six months.
The ordinance is now awaiting approval from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development before it can be fully enforced.
Tony Okello, the Nwoya District Speaker, explained that the ordinance is a direct response to the food insecurity and malnutrition challenges faced by the district. He emphasized that the law aims to address issues such as the sale of food crops, alcoholism among youth, and the decline in productivity.
He also highlighted the environmental concerns caused by the large-scale cutting down of trees for charcoal production over the past decade.
To ensure the law’s effectiveness, an enforcement structure has been established, starting with sub-village chiefs and local council one chairpersons.
Monitoring of implementation will take place twice a year, with enforcement teams visiting different parts of the district every two quarters.
