Ugandan children are facing a silent but deadly epidemic that is driven not by infections but by the food on their plates. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a looming public health disaster caused by the over consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly among children and young people.

In a joint statement released from SEATINI Uganda’s offices in Bukoto, a coalition of food justice and child rights advocates called on the government to urgently approve the draft Nutrient Profiling Model.

They argue that without proper regulation of unhealthy food environments, children in Uganda remain vulnerable to life-threatening conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart failure.

“Feeding our children poison is not a form of love. It is a slow and silent way of killing them,” said Mr. Kimera Henry, Executive Director of CONSENT-Uganda.

Uganda is undergoing a major shift in eating patterns away from traditional plant-based meals to diets increasingly dominated by ultra processed, high sugar, high fat foods. This change, driven by aggressive advertising targeting children and youth, has led to a worrying spike in diet related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

According to health data cited by the coalition:

NCDs now account for 33% of all deaths in Uganda.

The risk of premature death from NCDs among adults aged 30 to 70 is 22%.

Childhood diabetes has doubled since 2013, with over 200,000 children affected, many undiagnosed.

Obesity rates among school-age children stand at 32.3%, while 21.7% are overweight.

“There is currently a very aggressive, but dangerous, form of marketing targeting children. Bright packaging, catchy jingles, and cartoon endorsements make junk food look fun but the long-term impact is devastating,” said one activist.

Perhaps most disturbing is the emergence of a newer, more complex form of diabetes, known as Type 5 diabetes, now being detected among children in Uganda. Health professionals link it to consistent consumption of ultra-processed foods and sedentary lifestyles. It is more resistant to treatment and is known to cause early-onset organ complications.

“Type 5 diabetes could mark a tipping point in Uganda’s NCD crisis,” warned the CSOs. “These children will need lifelong care.”

The CSOs applauded the government’s 2025/26 budget allocation of Shs  11.4 trillion (26.1%) under the Human Capital Development Programme which includes NCD prevention but said this must go beyond rhetoric.

They called on government, to :

Approve the long-pending Nutrient Profiling Model.

Establish legal thresholds for unhealthy food ingredients.

Ban junk food marketing in schools and children’s programming.

Modernise outdated legislation like the 1959 Food and Drugs Act.

Develop a comprehensive food and nutrition law in Uganda.

The coalition cites Uganda’s Constitution, the Children Act, and international law as placing a duty on the state to ensure a healthy food environment. The Food and Drugs Act already makes it an offense to sell adulterated or harmful food, but the law is outdated and poorly enforced.

With processed sodas and sugary drinks sold for as little as Shs 500, civil society groups warn that access to these harmful products has never been easier or more dangerous.

As Uganda marches toward Vision 2040 and seeks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, activists argue that food justice and children’s health must become national priorities. The cost of inaction, they say, will be borne by the next generation in shortened lives, overburdened health systems, and lost economic potential.

“We have a duty to act now. This is not just about food—it’s about our children’s right to life, health, and dignity.” Said David Kabanda, a food rights activist

Full story: The Independent