Acute malnutrition remains a significant concern in the Karamoja region in Uganda. Between March 2026 and February 2027, approximately 122,100 children (aged 6–59 months) are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition, including 30,600 severely malnourished cases, alongside 8,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in need of treatment. Two districts (Kaabong and Kotido) are classified in IPC Acute Malnutrition (AMN) Phase 4 (Critical), while five are in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious).

Although there has been a slight improvement in malnutrition outcomes compared to 2025 (global acute malnutrition reduced from 13.5% to 11.4%), acute malnutrition levels remain high and closely linked to poor dietary diversity, high disease burden, limited access to water and sanitation, and reduced nutrition service coverage.

• Scale up case identification and treatment of acute malnutrition (both SAM and MAM cases) for both children and women 
• Prioritise high-risk groups (children under five years of age and pregnant and breast-feeding women), especially in areas of IPC AMN Phase 3 or above.
• Strengthen integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI). 
• Intensify promotion of maternal, infant, young child and adolescent nutrition (MIYCAN) practices at health facilities and at the community level. 
• Strengthening the Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) in hot spot areas classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 or above. 
• Strengthening community outreaches for increased coverage of health and nutrition services. 
• Strengthen prevention, testing and treatment of common childhood illnesses (such as malaria, fever, and diarrhoea). 
• Intensify immunisation campaigns.
• Scale up anaemia prevention and treatment interventions among children and women of reproductive age.