The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a EUR 2 million contribution from the Government of France, a boost that will strengthen food security for refugees in Uganda and improve nutrition for vulnerable women and children.

At a ceremony held in Kampala, attended by H.E. Virginie Leroy, the French Ambassador to Uganda, and WFP Country Director Lauren Landis, officials confirmed that the funding will support life-saving food and nutrition interventions for more than 70,000 people in 2026.

“This partnership comes when WFP faces severe funding challenges,” said Lauren Landis. “With France’s support, we can save lives, boost local economies, and help families recover from unimaginable hardship. These resources allow us to address malnutrition both proactively and preventively, supporting communities in the sustainable production and consumption of nutritious foods.”

The contribution will be implemented between January and December 2026. It will prioritize emergency food assistance for refugees newly arriving from the Great Lakes Region, nutrition services for mothers and children, and school feeding initiatives in Karamoja.

Ambassador Leroy highlighted France’s solidarity with Uganda’s refugee response. “France is determined to contribute to Uganda’s exemplary policy of welcoming refugees. I am proud that we support WFP and its vital humanitarian programme in Uganda,” she stated. “This funding reflects France’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and malnutrition among the most vulnerable people, particularly refugees and children. By supporting WFP’s integrated approach, we are investing not only in immediate humanitarian relief, but also in long-term resilience and sustainable development for communities across Uganda.”

Through this support, WFP will be able to deliver urgent assistance to nearly 40,000 people fleeing conflict in neighbouring countries. At border points and transit centres, refugees will receive high-energy biscuits, hot meals, and cash transfers to purchase food. Uganda currently hosts close to 2 million refugees, and arrivals continue to rise, with more than 140,000 new arrivals recorded this year alone.

Nutrition remains a major challenge, as one in four Ugandan children is stunted (low height for age), limiting future learning potential and productivity. Part of the French contribution will fund nutrition programmes for 3,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women and 7,000 children in reception centres, where malnutrition is especially severe. WFP will also promote the use of locally sourced, nutrient-dense foods such as METU 1, a therapeutic blend of sorghum, groundnuts, sugar, and oil, used to treat moderate acute malnutrition.

In Karamoja, where poverty affects 85 percent of the population and most schoolchildren lack access to meals, the funding will enable 20,000 learners from 33 schools in Nakapiripirit District to receive daily nutritious food.

“Our support will contribute to the Karamoja school feeding programme. School meals improve attendance, reduce dropout rates, especially among girls, and give children the energy to learn,” Ambassador Leroy added. “By linking schools to local farmers, particularly women-led groups, we support WFP to strengthen food systems which benefit entire communities.”