Uganda is facing a growing crisis as more children and young people are developing diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The main cause is the increasing consumption of unhealthy foods containing too much sugar, salt, and fat.
According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), about 5% of children under five are being classified as overweight or obese. Also, studies are showing that 32.3% of school-age children (ages 3 to 16) are obese, while 21.7% are overweight.
Civil Society Organizations promoting food justice are focusing on protecting children, saying that their diets should be closely monitored. Many NCDs including cancer, diabetes, ulcers, and heart problems are linking directly to poor eating habits. Right now, NCDs are accounting for about 33% of all deaths in Uganda, with over 200,000 children living with diabetes as of 2013.
Speaking about food safety, Professor Archileo Kaaya from the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition at Makerere University is stressing the need to share food information. “Food is a fundamental right. If it is not safe, it is not food. We are what we eat,” he says.
Explaining the risks, Professor Kaaya says that ultra-processed foods contain dangerous chemicals and nutrients that, when eaten in large amounts, are harming the body. Even fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides are causing harm. He says many children are eating too much of these unhealthy foods because they taste good, making them even more dangerous.
Ugandans are changing their eating habits, moving away from natural, plant-based diets and choosing ultra-processed foods. This change is coming from aggressive advertising on radio, TV, billboards, sports events, and especially social media mostly targeting children.
Henry Kimera, Executive Director of CONSENT Uganda, says, “There is a very aggressive and dangerous kind of advertising. Bright packaging, catchy jingles, and ads on children’s programs are making these foods look fun and exciting, but they are harmful when consumed regularly.”
The Children Act Cap. 62, Section 5(1)(c), gives a duty to every parent or guardian to provide an adequate diet to their child. However, Uganda still lacks clear food guidelines and policies for areas like school feeding, food labeling, and safe nutrition standards.
Dr. David Kabanda, Executive Director of the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), is warning that the government will be violating the Constitution if it delays action. He is calling on the Ministry of Health to urgently pass a nutrient profiling model and clear rules on food classification.
“Children are vulnerable and still under the care of adults. The number of children getting cancer is rising, and food is playing a big part. Food industries know children influence their parents to buy these unhealthy products,” Dr. Kabanda says.
He adds that the sugar and fats in these foods are silent killers. “Not everything that tastes good is healthy,” he warns.
According to the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan II (UNAP II), Uganda is losing about UGX 1.9 trillion in productivity due to childhood malnutrition. This represents 5.7% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Calling for Better Regulations
Ms. Jane Nalunga, Executive Director of SEATINI Uganda, says that if the current trends of overweight and diet-related diseases continue, Uganda may fail to achieve goals like food security, better nutrition, and economic development.
Shafic Kajimu, Head of Programs at FIAN Uganda, says that the solution lies in regulation. He supports introducing front-of-pack warning labels on unhealthy foods. “The right to food is protected under international human rights law. Governments must regulate what people eat, especially protecting children,” he says.
He believes that warning labels help people choose healthier options and avoid dangerous products.
Conclusion
Protecting children from diet-related diseases starts with creating a safe food environment. By strengthening food regulations, labeling harmful products, promoting healthy school meals, and educating the public, Uganda can reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. All stakeholders including parents, government, schools, and civil society must work together in ensuring every child eats safe, nutritious food. The time to act is now because what children eat today shapes the health of our nation tomorrow.
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