CEFROHT pushes for a Comprehensive Food and Nutrition Law: There is no Food and Nutrition Framework Law in Uganda!

Uganda currently lacks a comprehensive Food and Nutrition Law to regulate modern food environments dominated by third-party food companies pushing processed and ultra-processed unhealthy foods into schools, homes, and communities’ diets. These trends have contributed to the rising burden of malnutrition, stunting, obesity, and diet-related diseases across Uganda.

In collaboration with CEFROHT, SEATINI Uganda, and the Uganda National CSO Coalition for Front-of-the-Pack Warning Labelling (UNCC-FOPWL), with the Uganda Parliamentary Alliance on Food and Nutrition Security (UPA-FNS), convened a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue to discuss the proposed Food and Nutrition draft Bill 2024 and strategies to ensure that Ugandans have an evidence-based law.

Key Discussions and Findings:

• The Parliamentary Legislative Department, represented by Ms. Esther Akullu, confirmed that this draft has undergone some consultations and many staeholders are requesting for a comprehensive legal framework.
• Millions of Ugandans face and are suffering diet-related Non Communicable Diseases like diabetes, cancers, stomach ulcers, cardiovascular diseases with morbidities spouting houses.
•  Individuals and communities are facing hunger and multiples forms of malnutrition poor nutrition, while the rise of ultra-processed foods increases risks of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
• Children are particularly vulnerable, with aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods in schools and media influencing their choices.
• Healthy diets are increasingly becoming inaccessible, with Ugandans having no awareness about nutritious foods.
• Experts stressed the urgent need for a Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) to guide regulations and policies such as front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL), restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, and sugary drink (SSB) taxes.
• The dialogue emphasized that food is a human right, and Uganda needs a law that ensures access to safe, nutritious, and sustainable food for all citizens, aligning with national, regional, and international obligations.

Parliamentary Commitments:

• The private member sponsoring the draft has committed to work with CSO coalition to ensure the law addresses current gaps in nutrition governance, marketing of unhealthy foods, and NCD prevention, especially using the food systems approach.
• Parliamentarians expressed support for integrating the NPM and adopting measures such as FOPWL and child-focused marketing restrictions once the Bill is enacted.

Voices from the Dialogue:

• Dr. Kabanda David, ED CEFROHT, highlighted that the law should protect all citizens’ right to adequate food, including children, vulnerable populations, and communities across the country.
• Ms. Florence Basiima, researcher at Makerere University, stressed the importance of education campaigns to complement the law, guiding children and adults toward healthier food choices.
• Mr. Robert Kaliisa (IIRR) and Ms. Priscilla Nyarugoye (UHRC) emphasised a human rights-based approach, ensuring accountability, equity, and participation in food systems governance.

Conclusion:
The dialogue emphasised the urgent need for a strong, comprehensive Food and Nutrition Law in Uganda. With the adoption of the NPM, FOPWL, marketing restrictions for children, and SSB taxes, Uganda can transform its food environment, empower citizens to make healthy choices, and curb the rising burden of diet-related diseases. Collaboration across government, civil society (including CEFROHT), academia, and Parliament is key to making this vision a reality.