Activity Report: Can Okonomiyaki Save the World? Uganda × Samoa: Tackling Social Issues Through ‘Food’

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, we held a tasting and talk event titled ‘Uganda × Samoa: A “Flour-Based” Food Experiment That Turns Common Sense Upside Down!’ in Suidobashi, Tokyo. Co-hosted with Mampuku Uganda LTD., the event used ‘food’ from two very different regions—Africa and the South Pacific—as an entry point to think deliciously, joyfully, and seriously about solving social issues.

Why “Kampala-yaki” Was Born — Tackling Social Issues Through Food

One of the speakers, Ms. Uri Tanigawa, CEO of Mampuku Uganda LTD., developed a Ugandan-style okonomiyaki (a savory Japanese cabbage pancake) called “Kampala-yaki” to support the economic independence of single mothers living in the slums of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

In Kampala’s slums, many single mothers raise their children alone after losing their husbands or separating from them. Uganda faces high unemployment, making stable jobs difficult to obtain. Many single mothers lack sufficient education or literacy skills, and some families struggle to secure even daily meals. Because mothers cannot earn enough income, they cannot send their children to school; children who miss out on education cannot secure stable jobs later on. This cycle of poverty passing from one generation to the next has become a major social challenge.

To address this, Ms. Tanigawa created a new business model centered on Kampala-yaki. In Uganda, many people run small street food stalls, and one of the most common items sold is Rolex—a wheat-flour crepe wrapped around eggs and vegetables. However, Rolex relies heavily on imported wheat, and recent price increases have pushed its cost ratio above 80%, making it difficult for vendors to earn profits.

Kampala-yaki solves this problem by using locally available white corn flour and cassava flour instead of imported wheat, dramatically improving profit margins. This allows the business to pay stable wages to single mothers and operate as a sustainable business that does not rely on external aid. With stable income, mothers can send their children to school—Kampala-yaki is becoming a key step toward breaking the cycle of poverty.

Kampala-yaki also addresses challenges faced by consumers. Although Uganda produces abundant vegetables, many people lack knowledge of how to cook them, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Kampala-yaki, packed with cabbage and other vegetables, is affordable, tasty, and nutritionally balanced. It can be cooked with minimal water and a single iron griddle, even in areas with limited infrastructure. Okonomiyaki is typically enjoyed with ‘okonomi sauce,’ and with technical cooperation from Otafuku Sauce Co., Ltd., a special sauce was developed to match Ugandan tastes.

Kampala-yaki became a dish that addressed both the poverty faced by its makers and the nutritional challenges of those who ate it.

Samoa’s Food Crisis — Can Samoa-yaki Make A Difference?

Another speaker, Itagaki from Lumanai Samoa, has long been involved in educational support in Samoa since serving in the JICA Volunteers. He is now focusing on Samoa’s growing problem of lifestyle-related diseases.

Today, Samoa faces a major social challenge: the spread of diabetes due to the westernization of diets. Many people prefer fast food and rarely eat vegetables, making it difficult for health messages like “eat better for your health” to resonate.

This led Tanikawa and Itagaki to a shared idea:

“Could we solve Samoa’s dietary issues with an okonomiyaki made from Samoan ingredients—just like Kampala-yaki?”

It was a challenge to bring Uganda’s experience of “solving social issues through food” to Samoa.

During the event, participants cooked and tasted okonomiyaki made with Samoan ingredients. The venue buzzed with reactions like “We actually made it!” and “Samoa-yaki is delicious!”, creating a joyful space to explore solutions to social issues together.

One “Delicious!” Creates Jobs and Education — A New Way of International Cooperation

In the cross-talk session, speakers discussed whether okonomiyaki could save the world, exploring how food can become both business and culture to break through social challenges.

One particularly striking topic was Uganda’s “twisted health challenge.” In Uganda, the poor suffer from malnutrition, while the wealthy face obesity and diabetes—two opposing issues coexisting in the same society.

Kampala-yaki is designed not only to improve nutrition for low-income communities but also to secure strong profit margins. By selling Kampala-yaki to wealthier customers, the business generates revenue that is then used to pay wages to single mothers in the slums. With that income, mothers can send their children to school.

A single “delicious” experience creates nutrition, employment, and educational opportunities. This mechanism overturns the traditional notion of international cooperation as a one-way “giver/receiver” relationship.

During the networking session after the event, participants shared their insights and reflections, ending the day on a warm and fulfilling note.

A challenge that can change the world began with one iron griddle and one person’s passion. International cooperation may be much closer than we think. This event offered a chance to feel exactly that. Lumanai Samoa will continue exploring new possibilities for international cooperation through food—together with all of you.

Join Us: Become Part of Lumanai Samoa’s Mission

To continue delivering high‑quality education in Samoa and to ensure that this initiative becomes a lasting part of everyday life—not a temporary project—we rely on the ongoing support of many individuals.

Join us in creating the lumanai (future) of Samoa

Support Us as a Monthly or Annual Donor

Through monthly or annual contributions, you can help provide a stable foundation for our long-term activities. We are seeking supporters who will walk alongside us as we work to transform healthcare and education in Samoa.

Make a One‑Time Donation

Your contribution will be used with great care to purchase essential supplies for medical and educational activities, fund outreach trips to remote islands, and support awareness-raising efforts in Japan.