Nutrition experts in Uganda are urging the government to introduce tougher regulations on food marketing around schools. Research found that 86 percent of outdoor advertisements within 250 meters of selected primary and secondary schools promoted unhealthy food choices. This has raised concerns about children's exposure to products that can increase the risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases.
The calls were made at a youth seminar conducted at Kyambogo University in Kampala on October 23, 2026. Experts also recommended introducing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels and strengthening restrictions on marketing foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. The seminar highlighted the early introduction of ultra-processed snacks and sugary drinks into the diets of children aged six to 36 months, a critical period for growth and development.
Uganda has taken steps to address nutrition concerns, including implementing its National Nutrient Profile Model. The Ministry of Health signed the model on February 9, 2026, and launched it in August. The model aims to assess the nutritional composition of foods and identify products that exceed specified nutrient thresholds. Professor Charles Muyanja from Makerere University presented the research findings, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations.
The prevalence of diet-related illnesses in Uganda is a growing concern. A 2025 study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that the prevalence of raised blood glucose among adults increased from 1.5 percent to 3.3 percent between 2014 and 2023. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity rose from 19.3 percent to 24.1 percent, while sedentary behavior increased from 26.6 percent to 31.9 percent.
Okot Ribon Musoga, a senior nutritionist at the Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights, cited a 2024 food landscape survey that found 56 percent of sampled processed food products exceeded applicable sodium thresholds. Musoga proposed a front-of-pack labeling system using prominent black octagonal warnings to identify products exceeding specified limits for nutrients like sugar, sodium, or saturated fat.
The proposed labeling system aims to provide clearer information to support consumer decisions and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products. However, its effectiveness depends on enforceable standards, compliance monitoring, public awareness, and penalties for violations. Advocates are also calling for stronger restrictions on food marketing directed at children and measures to reduce exposure to unhealthy products around schools.
The Consumer Protection Bill and pending front-of-pack warning regulations are key legislative priorities. Experts emphasize the need for coordination among the Ministry of Health, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, education authorities, and other relevant institutions to implement and enforce the regulations.
Key points
- 86% of outdoor ads within 250m of Ugandan schools promote unhealthy food choices.
- Uganda's National Nutrient Profile Model aims to assess the nutritional composition of foods and identify products that exceed specified nutrient thresholds.
- Proposed front-of-pack labeling system would use prominent black octagonal warnings to identify products exceeding specified limits for nutrients like sugar, sodium, or saturated fat.
