A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Uganda is raising a red flag over the country’s largely unregulated food environment, warning of a looming public health crisis fueled by the increasing consumption of unhealthy diets, particularly among children. The CSOs are vehemently calling on the government to immediately approve the long-pending draft Nutrient Profiling Model and implement strict regulations to safeguard Ugandans from the escalating burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Organizations including the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), CONSENT, and FIAN Uganda, highlight a disturbing link between the surge in NCDs like cancer, stomach ulcers, heart diseases, and diabetes, and the widespread consumption of unhealthy foods.

“As we conclude World Food Safety Month, we bring to light a disturbing reality: children in Uganda are in grave danger due to unhealthy food,” declared Dr. David Kabanda, Executive Director of CEFROHT. With 22 million children in Uganda, making up nearly half of the 45 million population, they represent a highly vulnerable group susceptible to the aggressive marketing tactics of the food industry.

Dr. Kabanda painted a grim picture, citing alarming trends from the Uganda Cancer Institute, which reports approximately 700 new cases of childhood cancer annually, often linked to food consumption. He further asserted that children are specifically targeted by the food industry, which incorporates addictive ingredients and employs appealing marketing strategies to capture their attention. “As a nation, we must take action,” he urged.

While commending the Ministry of Health’s draft nutrient profiling model as a step in the right direction, Dr. Kabanda stressed the critical need for regulations to shield children from unhealthy foods. “We urge parents, school administrators, and the government to prioritize children’s health,” he emphasized. “We call upon lawyers to take up this cause and hold accountable those responsible for the harm caused by unhealthy food.”

Professor Archileo Kaaya from Makerere University’s Department of Technology and Nutrition underscored the fundamental right to safe food. “Food is a fundamental right, and its safety is paramount to human health,” Professor Kaaya stated, defining food safety as the absence of harmful agents such as biological, physical, or chemical contaminants. He warned that ultra-processed foods, high in saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and free sugar, can lead to severe health issues when consumed excessively, especially by children.

Mr. Kimera Henry, Executive Director of CONSENT, highlighted a concerning shift in Uganda’s eating patterns, moving away from traditional plant-based diets towards ultra-processed foods. This transition, he noted, is heavily influenced by aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns across various platforms, including radio, billboards, television, events, sports sponsorships, and social media, all targeting vulnerable populations like children, youth, and young adults. “There is currently a very aggressive, but dangerous nature of advertising to children,” Mr. Kimera said, pointing out how bright packaging, catchy jingles, and TV ads make unhealthy foods appear fun and exciting, masking their detrimental effects.

Mr. Jonathan Lubega, Programs Officer for Agriculture Trade for Rural Transformation at SEATINI, drew parallels with global success stories. Countries like Chile, Mexico, and the United Kingdom have effectively implemented nutrient profiling models, resulting in significant improvements. “The statistics are telling: a drop of 27.3% in the sale of sugary products and a decrease in child obesity rates in these countries,” Mr. Lubega revealed. He cautioned that the World Bank estimates low- and middle-income countries will face a staggering cost of $7 trillion due to the rise in NCDs.

While acknowledging the government’s allocation of UGX 11.4 trillion to the Human Capital Development Program in the new budget to address NCDs, Mr. Lubega stressed the need for effective prioritisation and implementation. “As we move into the new financial year, we need to ask: will the government prioritise spending on awareness campaigns, sustainable food systems, and healthy diets in schools? How will they address the issue of unhealthy foods in school canteens and the market?” he questioned.

Mr. Shafic Kagimu, Programs Officer with FIAN Uganda, reinforced the crucial role of regulations. He highlighted “front-of-pack warning labelling” as not only a public health measure but also a human rights obligation, given Uganda’s commitment to international human rights law. “These rights demand that the government takes active steps to regulate the dietary environment and prevent people from consuming unhealthy food,” Mr. Kagimu asserted, urging mandatory warning labels to empower consumers in making informed choices about products high in sugar, salt, and fat.

In a unified call to action, the CSOs urged the government to:

The CSOs concluded by emphasising that ensuring food safety and nutrition is a collective responsibility, requiring urgent action to protect the health and well-being of all Ugandans, especially children and future generations.