The Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) is committed to promoting healthy diets by advocating for a strong regulatory framework and systems that protect public health. At the heart of our campaign is the recognition that poor diet is a leading contributor to the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Uganda. Promoting safe, nutritious, and wholesome food must be a national priority, supported by laws, policies, and effective enforcement.

This campaign employs a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), affirming that access to safe and nutritious food is a legally enforceable right. We apply the principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, empowerment, and the rule of law to demand accountability from both government and private actors shaping the food system. Our ultimate goal is to establish an enabling regulatory environment that safeguards public health and supports healthier food choices for all.

The Problem

Uganda faces a growing burden of diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), driven in part by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. NCDs are chronic, long-term health conditions that are often preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes. These diseases develop gradually and can lead to severe complications, disability, and premature death.

According to the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), 4,000 new cancer cases are registered annually. Additionally, 27% of adults in the country are hypertensive, while diabetes cases have risen by 7% (WHO, 2016). Without immediate action, this burden will continue to escalate. NCDs not only cause deaths but also reduce quality of life, increase healthcare costs, and lower productivity. Vulnerable populations bear the greatest burden, worsening health disparities in access to and utilization of healthcare services.

Currently, Uganda lacks effective laws or policies to ensure the right to adequate food, particularly in regulating the production, promotion, advertising, and marketing of unhealthy foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. As a result, Uganda has become a hub for foods high in trans fats, salt, and sugar, with no regulations on processed and ultra-processed food products. Consequently, Ugandans face a 22% risk of premature death from one of the four major NCDs.

There is an urgent need for an effective regulatory framework to ensure Ugandans can realize their right to food. This includes measures such as front-of-pack warning labels and restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods. Passing and implementing an evidence-based Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) is critical to meaningful consumer protection, promoting healthy diets, and preventing NCDs.

Promoting Healthy Diets Through Strategic Regulation and Effective Implementation Systems

At CEFROHT, promoting healthy diets through an enabling regulatory framework and effective implementation systems is central to our mission. Through the Food Safety Campaign, we are transforming Uganda’s food environment by addressing structural and behavioral barriers to healthy eating. Our Human Rights-Based Approach ensures every person enjoys their right to safe, nutritious food and good health.

Government and Institutional Engagement

CEFROHT has established strong partnerships with key government ministries and regulatory institutions to advance healthy diets through sound laws and effective systems. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH)—particularly the Departments of NCDs and Nutrition—has enabled the joint development of policy tools such as:

• Uganda’s National Physical Activity Guidelines
• An evidence-based Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM)
• Advocacy for regulations to curb the marketing and consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats

We also work closely with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to strengthen enforcement of food safety regulations, including Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL), which empowers consumers to make informed food choices. Additional partnerships with the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister, and local governments ensure a multi-sectoral approach. Together, these institutions create an implementation ecosystem integrating nutrition, health, trade, education, and justice—laying the foundation for sustained healthy diets nationwide.

An Evidence-Based Nutrient Profiling Model for Uganda (NPM)

A key pillar of our efforts is developing and promoting a context-specific Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) for Uganda. This scientific framework classifies foods based on nutritional content and informs regulations to reduce diet-related NCDs. Co-created with government ministries, civil society, and UN partners (WHO, UNICEF, FAO), the NPM guides evidence-based policy decisions.

Once adopted, the NPM will enable interventions such as:

• Mandatory front-of-pack warning labels
• Marketing restrictions targeting children
• Public procurement standards for schools and hospitals
• Fiscal policies like sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes

These data-driven, public health regulations will foster healthier food environments and improve access to nutritious diets.

Cross-Cutting Media, Legal, and Community Engagement

To maximize impact, our strategy integrates media, legal, and grassroots advocacy:

• Media: Training journalists to raise public awareness on food safety, NCDs, and regulatory solutions
• Legal: Capacity-building for judges, magistrates, and lawyers to advance the right to food under Uganda’s Human Rights Enforcement Act
• Community Engagement: Dialogues with local leaders, health workers, and citizens to influence national food policy and promote healthier practices

Integrated Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

CEFROHT’s approach thrives on sustained collaboration among:

• Government agencies & regulatory bodies
• UN institutions & civil society
• Academia, legal professionals, media, and local actors

This unified coalition drives evidence-informed policies, shared learning, and coherent implementation, ensuring a food system that:
✔ Promotes healthy diets
✔ Prevents NCDs
✔ Advances health equity in Uganda and East Africa