Luck Ochieng, Managing Director of Unilever East Africa distributing the rebranded product to Gulu residents. Photos by Arnest Tumwesige
By Arnest Tumwesige
Gulu: Access to iron-rich foods remains a challenge for many families, especially in remote communities where lack of knowledge or illiteracy is prevalent. In these areas, produce and other iron rich food stuffs from small-scale farming are often prioritized for sale, leading to iron deficiencies.
There are two types of iron found in food: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is primarily found in meat, fish, and poultry, and it is the form of iron most easily absorbed by the body. Non-heme iron, on the other hand, is found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
To bridge the accessibility gap, Unilever Uganda has introduced the Royco String Pack, which is rich in iron, to the market in Gulu City. The smallest package is priced at UGX 100, making it affordable for a wide range of consumers.
Grace Nandawula, the Head of Customer and Strategy Planning at Unilever Uganda, emphasized the importance of generosity and Royco’s commitment to enriching lives through nutrition and community engagement. During the launch in Gulu, Nandawula highlighted how Royco enhances meal flavor, taste, and thickness.
The Risk of Iron Deficiency
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency is the leading nutritional cause of anemia. Anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells or the concentration of hemoglobin within them is lower than normal.
Hemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen, so when there is insufficient hemoglobin or red blood cells, the blood’s capacity to deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues is reduced. This leads to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Anemia is a major global health issue, particularly affecting young children, menstruating adolescent girls, and women, including those who are pregnant or postpartum. WHO estimates that 40% of children aged 6–59 months, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15–49 worldwide suffer from anemia.
Unilever’s Plan to Engage Farmers
Luck Ochieng, Managing Director of Unilever East Africa, announced plans to engage farmers by offering them training to improve the quality of their agricultural produce, alongside the launch of the rebranded product.
“The goal is to ensure that consumers in Uganda and beyond can enjoy high-quality products like Royco while promoting healthy living,” Ochieng said. He also reassured consumers that adding spices to sauces is not harmful to health, as some people may believe, but instead helps build immunity.
Alice Lamunu, a market vendor at Gulu Main Market, praised Unilever for the rebranded product, noting its ease of use in sauces and affordability.
“The rebranded product has a sturdier package that is more convenient for storage than the previous one. My hope is that farmers in Northern Uganda will also be supported to grow and sell the raw materials used in production,” Lamunu said.
About the Rebranded Product
The newly unveiled Royco String Pack is more environmentally friendly and easier to display in shops compared to its predecessor, the cube pack.
Ahead of the launch, hundreds of small-scale retailers in Gulu City were trained on basic business skills and knowledge to help them profit from the new product.
