Public Petition Urging Adoption of Evidence-Based Nutrient Profile Model and Front-of-Pack Warning Labels in Uganda

Petitioners: Uganda National Civil Society Coalition on the Promotion of Front-of-the-Pack Nutrition Warning Labeling (UNCC-FOPWL)

Respondent: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Republic of Uganda

Subject: Constitutional and Human Rights Obligations to Address Diet-Related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Through Evidence-Based Food Policies

Background:
The UNCC-FOPWL, a coalition of legal and human rights advocates, petitioned the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to intervene in the escalating public health crisis caused by diet-related NCDs in Uganda. Citing alarming statistics from the 2023 Uganda STEPS survey—including a 33.2% overweight/obesity rate, 23.5% hypertension prevalence, and 34% of deaths attributed to NCDs—the coalition emphasized the urgent need for regulatory measures to promote healthier food choices.

Legal and Human Rights Framework:
The petition highlighted Uganda’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantee the right to health and adequate food. It further noted constitutional violations under Uganda’s National Objectives XIV and XXII, as well as Articles 22, 33, 34, and 41, which impose a duty on the state to protect citizens from harmful food environments.

Key Demands:
The coalition called for the immediate adoption of an evidence-based Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) to guide policies such as Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL), restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, and taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages. The NPM would empower consumers to make informed dietary choices and align Uganda’s food regulations with global best practices, as demonstrated by successful implementations in Chile, South Africa, and Kenya.

Government’s Failure to Act:
Despite the Ministry of Health’s mandate to safeguard public health, Uganda lacks a scientifically validated NPM or FOPWL system. This regulatory gap leaves citizens vulnerable to misleading food marketing and unchecked consumption of ultra-processed products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. The petition criticized the government’s delay in finalizing a draft NPM, which has stalled critical public health interventions.

Conclusion:
The coalition urged the Minister of Justice to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to expedite the NPM’s adoption. Such action would not only fulfill Uganda’s human rights commitments but also reduce the growing NCD burden, which disproportionately affects low- and middle-income populations.

Outcome:
Pending government response. The petition underscores the intersection of public health, corporate accountability, and constitutional rights, positioning Uganda’s NCD crisis as a pressing legal and policy issue.

Signatories:
Adv. Dr. Kabanda David (PhD), Chairperson, UNCC-FOPWL, and endorsements from legal professionals and civil society organizations.

Copies Submitted To:
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, Parliament of Uganda, and media stakeholders.

Advocacy Impact:
This petition amplifies calls for systemic food policy reforms, framing NCD prevention as a matter of justice and constitutional duty. Its publication aims to mobilize public support and pressure policymakers to prioritize health-centric regulations.