A new kind of egg: How powdered nutrition is saving Uganda’s stunted children
With only three tablespoons of boiled water, the powder transforms into the nutritional equivalent of a whole egg, thanks to Norad, UNICEF and partners for turning this into reality.
In the lush green hills of Uganda’s Tooro sub region where markets overflow with local bananas (matooke), pineapples, and cassava, a hidden crisis has quietly persisted—nearly 40 per cent of children in this area are stunted, their growth and potential stolen before they can even speak. But hope has arrived in a humble package: a 12-gram sachet of powdered egg, packed with life-changing nutrition. Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, yet powerful enough to transform a child’s future, this innovation is rewriting the story for families in the western district of Kamwenge and beyond. In every spoonful lies a chance for children to grow taller, stronger, and brighter. A simple solution for a brighter tomorrow is now within reach.
On April 23, a simple omelette sizzling in Kamwenge District marked more than a meal—it signaled a bold new chapter for child nutrition in Uganda. At the heart of this moment was EPIC, the Egg Powder Initiative for Children, a partnership between UNICEF, the Government of Uganda, and Pristine Foods Ltd., with funding from Norad. With every spoonful of fortified egg powder, EPIC is redefining what it means to nourish a child: affordable, easy-to-prepare, and packed with vital nutrients. This small sachet carries big dreams—for healthier children, stronger families, and a future where no child is left behind. EPIC is not just feeding bodies; it is fueling hope across Uganda.
During Kamwenge District’s EPIC launch, Agnes Nantongo from Pristine Foods Ltd demonstrated to 27-year-old mother Devota Mwamwini just how simple—and powerful—nutrition can be. Using a sachet of powdered egg, Agnes stirred up hearty meals, demonstrating how easily the powdered egg sachets can be added to porridge, beans, rice, or even whipped into a fluffy omelette. With only three tablespoons of boiled water, the powder transforms into the nutritional equivalent of a whole egg—bringing protein, vitamins, and hope straight to the family table. As Devota learned to prepare meals for her four-year-old son Crispus Minani, the promise of a healthier future felt within reach. EPIC isn’t just about powdered eggs; it’s about giving every child a fair start with affordable, nourishing food. For many Ugandan families, it marks the beginning of stronger, healthier tomorrows.
At the EPIC launch, Samalie Namukose, Assistant Commissioner for Nutrition Division in the Ministry of Health, laid bare the urgent reality: while Uganda has cut child stunting from 45 per cent in 2001 to 26 per cent today, the battle against malnutrition is far from over. To meet the 2030 target of 12.5 per cent, Uganda must quicken progress dramatically—five times faster than current rates. In a country blessed with fertile soil, sub regions like Tooro still face alarmingly high rates of stunted growth among children. She said that contradiction is exactly why EPIC is starting here—to uncover root causes, raise awareness, and test solutions that can be scaled across the country. EPIC isn’t just a nutrition initiative; it’s a promise to every child that their future won’t be limited by hunger. The road ahead demands ambition, but with determination and action, Uganda can close the gap—and raise a generation strong in body and mind, she said.
Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, delivered a powerful message: Tooro may be rich in food, but it is still battling some of the highest child malnutrition rates in Uganda—rivaling even Karamoja. "In Karamoja, food is scarce. Here, it is not," he said, reminding health leaders that the real failure lies not in food shortages, but in failing to teach families how to nourish their children. With local and community radios across the country offering airtime, district health officers and Resident District Commissioners have no excuse not to spread vital nutrition knowledge. “Nutrition is like building a house,” Dr Kyabayinze said. “It’s not about how much cement you have, but how you use it.” EPIC is about giving every family the tools to build a stronger, healthier generation—starting now.
It was all smiles at Club Afreka in Kamwenge as one-year-old Crispus Minani, perched happily on Christiane Rudert’s lap, took the first bite of Uganda’s future—a simple omelette cooked from a sachet of egg powder. His mother, 27-year-old Devota Mwamwini, beamed with pride as she served her son this life-boosting meal. Speaking at the launch, Christiane Rudert, UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Nutrition Advisor, stressed that EPIC fills a vital gap, helping families move beyond mono-diets of starch to meals rich in protein and essential nutrients. EPIC’s first phase will reach 50,000 children aged six to 23 months, giving each child one sachet a day for six months—180 crucial steps toward healthier futures.
