The IPC Acute Malnutrition (AMN) analysis of Uganda’s refugee settlements and Kampala’s urban refugees found that approximately 56,681 children aged 6–59 months and 6,827 pregnant or breastfeeding women (PBW) are suffering or projected to suffer from acute malnutrition between April 2025 and March 2026. The situation between April and September 2025 was significantly worse compared to the same period in 2024.

Three refugee settlements—Adjumani, Bidibidi, and Palorinya—were classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious). Six settlements (Imvepi, Kiryandongo, Lobule, Oruchiga, Palabek, and Rhino Camp) along with Kampala’s urban refugees were classified in IPC AMN Phase 2 (Alert). The remaining four settlements—Kyaka II, Kyangwali, Nakivale, and Rwamwanja—were classified in IPC AMN Phase 1 (Acceptable).

The high prevalence of acute malnutrition is linked to multiple factors, including high disease burden, suboptimal child feeding practices, an influx of new refugee arrivals that strain existing resources, limited household access to food, and reduced humanitarian support that has constrained food aid coverage, led to closure of nutrition sites, and curtailed outreach programs.

Looking ahead, acute malnutrition is expected to improve between October 2025 and March 2026 across 11 refugee settlements, with the exception of Oruchiga and Nakivale (both in Isingiro District), where deterioration is projected. Notably, the three settlements currently in Phase 3 (Serious)—Adjumani, Bidibidi, and Palorinya—are expected to improve to Phase 2 (Alert). This anticipated improvement is largely attributed to the main harvests, which are expected to boost food availability in markets and reduce prices.

• Scale up identification and treatment of acute malnutrition (SAM and MAM) for children and women, alongside anaemia prevention. Strengthen maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition (MIYCAN) practices, community case management, and active surveillance for malnutrition and disease outbreaks. Expand health outreach to address common childhood illnesses and integrate refugee settlements into national nutrition and health strategies to reduce pressure on facilities while improving coverage.

• Improve coverage of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in both refugee and host settings to prevent malnutrition and disease. Strengthen social protection systems that safeguard nutrition and food security, particularly for vulnerable groups. Integrating anticipatory actions for outbreaks with sustained WASH access and social protection will address underlying drivers of acute malnutrition and food insecurity across Uganda’s national and refugee populations.