Floods, Droughts Disrupt Child Healthcare in Katakwi, Study Finds

What the report says

A new study presented in Katakwi District, Uganda, says floods and droughts are making it harder for young children to get timely healthcare and nutrition support. According to Nile Post, the research was carried out by scholars from Makerere University School of Public Health and the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, and was shared at a November 5, 2026 dissemination workshop at Petua Gardens in Katakwi.

The researchers found that health facilities generally stayed open during climate shocks, but damaged roads, washed-away bridges, transport barriers and medicine shortages prevented some families from reaching care. Caregivers also reported missed growth-monitoring visits, difficulties completing treatment for childhood illnesses, and problems following feeding advice when drought reduced food and household resources. The study focused on experiences from 33 interviews with caregivers and health workers across four sub-counties.

Lead researcher Rik Lubbers said the work examined how extreme weather affects the health services that detect and treat children at risk of nutritional problems, not only food production. The study also highlighted the role of Village Health Teams in maintaining contact with households when formal access was blocked, though some community workers faced their own movement and cost challenges.

District officials said the findings could help guide budgeting and planning. The report also cited local statistics showing widespread food insecurity in Katakwi. The researchers said their study was based on interview evidence and did not directly measure malnutrition rates, but it adds context to wider concerns about child health, nutrition and climate vulnerability in the district.