Recently a semi-solid ready- to- use therapeutic food (RUTF) whose nutrition composition is similar to F100 or HEM has been designed. It is prepared by mixing full cream powder, icing sugar, ground nut paste, vegetable oil and mineral vitamin mix. RUTF contains 545 kilocalories per 100 grams of which 10% are protein calories and 59% lipid calories. This preparation can be eaten without adding water hence reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and it can be used at home with minimum supervision. RUTF has energy density of more than 5 times that of milk-based feeds. Hitherto the efficacy of RUTF in the rehabilitation of severely malnourished children in Uganda has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to determine whether giving daily RUTF in the rehabilitation of severely malnourished children results in a higher weight gain than giving HEM.