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Health officials warn of rising disease burden in Northern Uganda

14 August 2026, 3:22 pm

An illustration of common non-communicable diseases.

By Walter Kidega

Health officials in Gulu City have raised concerns over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Northern Uganda.

Speaking to our reporter on Friday, Dr Oriba Dan Langoya, an Associate Consultant Physician at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor, said the hospital receives more than 250 outpatient visits daily, with hypertension accounting for roughly 25 per cent of these cases.

Dr Oriba warned that hypertension remains a leading cause of kidney failure, which can cost patients more than Shs2 million per month to treat. He also attributed the rising cases of liver disease to excessive alcohol consumption.

Dr Oriba explained that many NCDs do not show symptoms until they reach advanced stages, making treatment more difficult and expensive.

Dr Oriba on the number of patients received at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor daily.
Dr Oriba Dan Langoya, an Associate Consultant at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor, addresses members of the press at NUMEC on 12 August 2026.

Meanwhile, Dr Apiyo Paska, a Consultant Internal Medicine Specialist at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, said medical analyses show that NCDs are rapidly replacing infectious diseases as the primary cause of illness and death in the region.

Dr Apiyo Paska on the leading non-communicable diseases treated at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.

Dr Apiyo identified cardiovascular diseases, liver conditions and cancers as the leading threats. She urged the public, particularly young people, to embrace regular check-ups, early screening and healthier lifestyles.

NCDs account for 33 to 35 per cent of all annual deaths in Uganda. Every Ugandan has a 22 per cent probability of dying prematurely, between the ages of 30 and 70, from one of the major NCDs.