Wakiso Plant Powered Food Workshop: Building Sustainable Food Systems for the Future
Entebbe, Wakiso District
This diverse representation created an enriching platform for training, discussion and forward-looking strategies toward building a sustainable plant-powered system for greater Wakiso.
The African Institute for Animal Welfare, through its community-driven initiatives successfully hosted the Wakiso Plant Powered Workshop bringing together over 60 participants from different policy and community institutions across Wakiso District and Entebbe Municipality.
Attendees included representatives from the Head Teachers Associations Committee, district councilors the food science research team from Nkumba University, Nkumba University guild leadership, the Community Development Officer’s office and the Mayor’s office of Entebbe Municipality.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
- Project Sustainability Tools launched The workshop marked the premier launch of two milestone resources: the first Plant-Powered Cookbook inspired by Ugandan food culture and a Smart Agriculture Manual designed to support school gardens, women’s empowerment projects, community gardens, and small urban farming.
- Commitments from the Education Sector The Head Teachers Associations Committee, representing 10 schools with over 843 students, committed to:
- Prioritize mineral-rich plant foods in their schools.
- Introduce the Plant-Powered Cookbook in their libraries.
- Integrate traditional plant-based recipes into the curriculum for food and nutrition students.
- Collaborative Partnerships More than four organizations joined hands in shaping a new narrative for healthy food culture in Uganda. Youth politicians also participated, aligning their manifestos with policies for affordable, mineral-rich foods that improve the quality of life for their constituencies.
- Youth Engagement for Health and Rehabilitation For the first time, the workshop partnered with the Entebbe Ghetto Youth Association — an organized youth group of former drug addicts now using plant-powered foods as a tool for rehabilitation and health restoration. Represented by their president and secretary, they shared their journey and agreed on continuous engagement in initiatives promoting better health and sustainable food practices.
Why This Matters
Creating a sustainable plant-powered food system goes beyond inspiring students, it requires influencing decision-makers who shape school menus, regulators who safeguard food safety and communities that sustain everyday food practices.
This workshop was a clear step toward systemic change ensuring that plant-based food solutions are not only accessible but also culturally relevant, health-focused and community-driven.