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Harnessing local traditional knowledge and experiences on production and consumption of fruits and vegetables-based diets to optimize cardiometabolic health and undernutrition in Rwenzori region

Harnessing local traditional knowledge and experiences on production and consumption of fruits and vegetables-based diets to optimize cardiometabolic health and undernutrition in Rwenzori region

Project Aim

The overarching aim of the project is to contribute to efforts that reduce the double burden of malnutrition (undernutrition and suboptimal cardiometabolic health) among women of reproductive age, adolescent girls, and young children in the Rwenzori region of Uganda. This will be achieved by establishing living labs to investigate and document indigenous knowledge and practices related to Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (IFV), co-creating and testing innovative IFV dishes to scientifically underpin cardiometabolic claims locally ascribed to IFV, and promoting the adoption of these IFV diets among vulnerable groups through partnerships with Rikolto and local community-based organizations.

Project Objectives

  1. To investigate and document indigenous knowledge and practices related to IFV, ensuring interventions are contextually appropriate.

  2. To develop and test innovative IFV-based diets through culinary innovations, incorporating local expertise and preferences through a living lab approach.

  3. To promote the adoption of these IFV diets among vulnerable groups, leveraging partnerships with organizations like Rikolto and local community initiatives.

  4. To train 1 PhD and 3 Masters students in nutrition-related fields to strengthen research capacity at the partner institutions.

Project Outcome

The project is expected to produce several tangible outcomes, including: documented indigenous knowledge and practices related to IFV; co-created novel IFV-based recipes and dishes with acceptable sensory attributes; scientific evidence on the cardiometabolic benefits of IFV through a clinical trial; behavioral change communication materials and training manuals; culinary cookbooks and toolkits; consumer acceptance and willingness-to-pay studies; established Food Parliaments in the Rwenzori Region; a marketing strategy for IFV products; 1 PhD and 3 Master’s graduates trained in nutrition-related fields; and 4 peer-reviewed publications. The long-term impact aims to be a significant reduction in the double burden of malnutrition among vulnerable populations in Uganda, achieved through increased consumption of IFV rich in polyphenols and nutrients that promote cardiometabolic health and prevent undernutrition.

Team Members

  • Prof. Christophe Matthys (KU Leuven) – Flemish Coordinator, Lead PhD Supervisor

  • Assoc. Prof. Joshua Wesana (MMU) – South Coordinator, Local Research Co-supervisor of PhD and Master’s Students

  • Mr. Tonny Kiyimba (MMU) – Project Manager, Support Setup and Running of Efficacy Study

  • Dr. Catherine Ndagire (MMU) – Support Co-creation Workshops and Nutrition Analysis of IFV

  • Dr. Muhammad Lubowa (MMU) – Food Product Development and Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in IFV

  • Dr. Joweria Nambooz (Kyambogo University) – IFV Taxonomy and Agriculture-Nutrition Linkages, MSc Student Supervision

  • Mr. Peter Businda (Rikolto) – Initiation and Implementation of Food Parliaments in Rwenzori Region

  • TISED-U (Tooro Initiative for Socio-Economic Development) – Community Mobilization and Implementation Partner

  • YonderLife Africa – Community Mobilization and Implementation Partner

Project Period
5 years (Project start: 31/08/2024 – Project end: 30/08/2029)

Project Funder
VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation)

Project Leadership
The project is co-coordinated by Prof. Christophe Matthys from KU Leuven as the Flemish coordinator, who will be the lead PhD supervisor in Biomedical Sciences and responsible for the scientific rigor of the project and scientific transfer from KU Leuven to MMU. Assoc. Prof. Joshua Wesana from Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) serves as the South coordinator, overseeing day-to-day operations of project activities in Uganda, ensuring progressive reporting, and efficient financial management. MMU hosts the Flemish team and organises local logistics.

Principal Investigator
Based on the structure of the consortium, the Principal Investigator could be considered to be the project promoter, Prof. Christophe Matthys from KU Leuven, who holds ultimate responsibility for the project’s scientific and technical integrity, deliverables, and reporting to the funder.