In 2025, breastfeeding remains a cornerstone of child survival, maternal health, and public health in Uganda. The Ministry of Health and global partners recognize exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life as one of the most cost-effective and powerful interventions to reduce infant mortality and build human capital.
Exclusive Breastfeeding: Saving Lives, Strengthening Communities
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months offers protection against diarrhoea and respiratory infections, which remain leading causes of child deaths in Uganda. Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth has been shown to reduce neonatal mortality by up to 22%. Infants who are not exclusively breastfed face a higher risk of infections, malnutrition, and death.
Nutrition and Growth: Breast Milk as the First Vaccine
Breast milk remains a vital source of energy and nutrients for children aged 6 to 23 months. In Uganda, where malnutrition still affects over 29% of children under five, continued breastfeeding helps bridge nutritional gaps meeting up to 50% of energy needs between 6 and 12 months, and about one-third between 12 and 24 months. It also strengthens immunity during episodes of illness and enhances recovery in children who are undernourished.
Long-Term Benefits: From Classrooms to National Economy
Ugandan children who are breastfed perform better in school, are less likely to suffer from obesity, and tend to have higher cognitive scores. These developmental advantages contribute to better job prospects and higher earnings in adulthood. For Uganda, promoting breastfeeding is not only a health issue it is a national development strategy.
Maternal Health: Protecting the Mother While Feeding the Future
Breastfeeding also improves maternal health outcomes. Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer and benefit from natural child-spacing through the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method. In rural and underserved areas of Uganda, this natural family planning method offers critical reproductive health support.
Public Health Action: Supporting Breastfeeding in All Settings
Uganda’s health system is working to scale up breastfeeding support through:
Implementation of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI): Encouraging skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding within the first hour, and rooming-in for mother–infant pairs.
Health worker training: Building capacity for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling during antenatal, postnatal, and immunization visits.
Maternity protection: Advocating for improved workplace policies enabling women to breastfeed while earning an income.
Community engagement: Promoting breastfeeding through village health teams (VHTs), mothers’ groups, and local champions.
Complementary Feeding: Bridging the Gap After Six Months
From six months of age, children need nutrient-rich complementary foods in addition to continued breastfeeding. Public healh guidance emphasises,
Age-appropriate, responsive feeding practices.
2–3 meals a day for 6–8-month-olds, and 3–4 meals plus snacks for 9–23 months.
Use of locally available, fortified foods to meet vitamin and mineral needs.
Extra fluids and soft foods during illness.
Failure to introduce complementary foods appropriately leads to growth faltering and micronutrient deficiencies, especially among Uganda’s most vulnerable children.
Feeding in Special Situations: No Child Left Behind
Even in difficult settings such as among HIV-positive mothers, adolescent mothers, low-birth-weight babies, and during emergencies breastfeeding remains the preferred feeding method. With the scale-up of lifelong antiretroviral therapy mothers living with HIV in Uganda are now supported to safely breastfeed.
According to WHO guidance adopted by Uganda, these mothers are encouraged to exclusively breastfeed for six months, and to continue with safe, appropriate complementary feeding up to at least one year.
Conclusion: Breastfeeding Is Everyone’s Responsibility
In 2025, Uganda’s vision for child health and development places breastfeeding at the centre of public health. With robust policies, trained health workers, empowered communities, and informed families, we can dramatically improve child survival, maternal well-being, and national prosperity.
Investing in breastfeeding today is investing in a healthier, stronger Uganda tomorrow.
Kamara Daniel- Nutritionist, Bwindi Community Hospital
