Stunting in children: why nutrition matters most

Stunting remains one of Uganda’s most pressing child health challenges, affecting millions of children and shaping their future development, learning and productivity. At the heart of the solution is the first 1,000 days of life, a critical window from conception to a child’s second birthday where proper nutrition can change the course of a life.In this episode, we explore how feeding practices, maternal health, and early childhood care influence stunting and overall development. We are joined by Dr Sabrina Kitaka, Pediatrician at Mulago National Referral Hospital; Esther Nalugga, Clinical Nutritionist; Laura Ahumuza, Senior Nutritionist at the Ministry of Health; and Yves Willemot, Chief Communication Officer at UNICEF Uganda, as we unpack what it takes to give every child a healthy start in life.Through a month-long campaign from April to May, 2026, New Vision in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health spotlight the challenges and solutions shaping children’s diets and their chances of a healthy start.