Non communicable diseases account for 41% deaths: Officials call for attention.

12 June 2025, 9:42 pm

Byamukama Alozious

The Ministry of Health is sounding the alarm on the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Uganda. NCDs are increasingly becoming a major health concern in the country, accounting for over 41% of all deaths.

The National Day of Physical Activity 2025 aims to raise awareness about the importance of regular exercise in preventing and managing NCDs. The theme for this year’s event is “Regular exercising is self-care.”

That this alarming rise in NCDs was revealed during a media breakfast where Ministry officials were making awareness on the upcoming National Day of Physical Activity 2025. According to the recent Health Risk Survey, 23.5% of Ugandans have hypertension, with a staggering 70% of them unaware that they have the condition. Furthermore, 3.3% of Ugandans live with diabetes, 19.3% are overweight, and 9.8% are obese. The survey also revealed that 88.9% of Ugandans do not consume adequate fruits and vegetables, and 6.8 grams of salt is consumed per day instead of the recommended 4 grams.

Dr. Frank Mugabi, Principal Medical Officer and Head of Lifestyle Division, Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, said, “Because most NCD conditions are asymptomatic in their early stages, people think they are fine. Regular testing should be a priority.” He noted that NCDs kill Ugandans prematurely, before the age of 70, and yet early detection and good eating habits can reduce the risks. “If we prioritize our health through regular check-ups and healthy lifestyles, we can significantly reduce the burden of NCDs in our country,” he added. He also encouraged Ugandans to take advantage of the many government and private health facilities that offer NCD testing and management services, emphasizing that early detection is key to preventing complications.