In Uganda, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent an increasingly significant burden of ill health and death, accounting for 34% of total deaths. According to the Uganda’s STEPS survey 2023, the main risk factors that predisposes Ugandans to NCDs is the intake of unhealthy foods and beverages that are high in sugar, salt, and fat and  are responsible for diet-related NCDs like cancers, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type 2, and other disorders.

Many consumers find it challenging to understand food labels, which makes it difficult to know the nutrition composition of the food they consume hence can not make healthy food choices. This worsens the risk of succumbing to NCDs whose treatment costs are extremely high that many consumers cannot afford.

Front-of-the Pack Warning Labelling will help consumers easily identify food products high in sugar, salt and fat and make healthier food choices and protect themselves and their loved ones from NCDs.

Government through the Ministry of Health has a central role in creating an enabling environment to promote healthy diets by making the citizenry/ public knowledgeable about  foods and beverages high in salt, sugar and fat sold to the public by adopting mandatory Front of Pack Warning Labelling (FOPWL) regulations.

Unless FOPWL regulations are adopted, grounded in a robust Nutrient Profiling Model, the health of Ugandans remains at serious risk, with more citizens likely to suffer and die from diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases. 

We call on the Ministry of Health to adopt and implement evidence-based Front of Pack Warning Labelling for the Republic of Uganda to help combat premature mortality rates caused by diet-related Non- Communicable Diseases.