Strengthening Multi-sectoral Planning for Nutrition at Local Government Level: Experience from Karamoja sub-region in Northern Uganda

Full text: Introduction: The Uganda Nutrition Action Plan 2011-2016 calls for nutrition to be integrated into activities across multiple sectors at district level. The Government of Uganda, Office of the Prime Minister, CUAMM, and stakeholders have collaborated to strengthen multi-sectoral planning for nutrition, working closely with District Nutrition Coordination Committees (DNCCs), which coordinate, plan, and provide oversight to multi-sectoral nutrition activities. Objective: To strengthen multi-sectoral nutrition planning in seven districts of Uganda. Method: In 2016-2017, a process to help DNCCs integrate nutrition activities into the work of multiple sectors was piloted in seven districts of Karamoja sub-region. The process used a multistakeholder partnership approach that included: 1) consensus-building to harmonize sector priorities and develop common district level nutrition objectives; 2) development of tools and guidelines; 3) capacity strengthening in nutrition and planning; 4) cross-district experience sharing and learning; and 5) effective communication for plan approval. Results: All seven districts integrated nutrition in their district development plans and developed District Nutrition Action Plans (DNAPs), which serve as a framework for integrating nutrition into district work plans and two have been approved by district councils. Nutrition activities have been included in all district annual work plans and budgets, which will be funded with existing resources. Conclusions: This multi-sectoral nutrition planning process can be replicated using planning tools and guidelines and integrated into existing government planning processes. Keys to success include: an enabling policy environment, engaging district leadership throughout the process, advocacy for adoption of plans, and technical and logistical support from partners. Lessons learned include: districts often have untapped resources that can be used for nutrition and must be sensitized to consider using them, learning about progress in other districts encourages districts to finalize DNAPs and push for their approval, relevant data at the district level is often inadequate for detailed planning and should be strengthened. (author)