Why CSOs want 75% excise duty on imported tobacco products

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Civil society organisations (CSOs) have asked the Ministry of Finance, in the 2026/2027 national budget, to increase tax on imported tobacco products to 75%.

The proposal is aimed at protecting public health, reducing pollution, and shielding young people from smoking, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. The proposed 75% tax is higher than the WHO-recommended 70% threshold.

The initiative is backed by Tobacco Industry Monitoring (TMI), representatives of the Tobacco Control Committee (TCC), and the Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS-Uganda).

Speaking to the media on March 16, 2026, at the HEPS-Uganda offices in Mengo, Kampala, Moses Talibita, a CSO representative on the TCC, said the tax cycle is one of the areas where the tobacco industry allegedly attempts to manipulate policy processes.

As of mid-2025, overall tobacco use in Uganda has declined to 6.7% from 7.9% in 2013, with about 9.2% of adults being daily users. Daily smoked tobacco use stands at approximately 7.4%, while 1.5% use smokeless tobacco. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), smoking prevalence is higher among men and those aged 45 and above.

Talibita noted that products such as flavoured items, shisha, electronic cigarettes, and unlabelled brands illegally imported into Uganda have continued to affect many young people despite the 2015 ban.

"With the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, a significant proportion is linked to tobacco usage. The Ministry of Finance and the Parliament Budget Committee should impose higher taxes on tobacco products," he asserted.

Talibita said these products, often used in social settings, are falsely perceived as safer, fuelling addiction among young people due to weak enforcement and marketing.

He added, “As of 2025, tobacco excise taxes in Uganda have been reported to be well below the 70% recommendation, often cited around 31% to 35% of the retail price, leaving cigarettes relatively affordable.”

“The Tobacco Control Act (2015) bans shisha, electronic cigarettes (vaping), flavoured products, smokeless, brands that don't have graphic health warnings like Oris, imported in Uganda, thus affecting people's health, especially the youth. However, enforcement remains a challenge,” Talibita said.

He explained that flavoured products and shisha remain highly popular among youth in urban areas and higher learning institutions, despite having similar or worse health effects than cigarettes.

Talibita further noted, “On Importation and labels, products like Oris and various smokeless tobacco (SLT) products are smuggled in Uganda without the required graphic health warnings.”

He added that about 17% of cigarettes sold in Uganda are illicit, indicating significant uncontrolled market penetration.

“Despite these increases, the total tax share on cigarettes in Uganda is still below the 70% recommendation, with some estimates putting it at 31–35% of the retail price,” warned Talibita.

A medical practitioner and member of the tobacco monitoring team said, “there are over 5,200 deaths annually in Uganda, mainly caused by lung cancers, cardiovascular disease, " he said.

Dr Malinga said treatment costs exceed $126 million (sh462b), outweighing tobacco industry revenues and straining Uganda’s healthcare system.

Malinga said the Tobacco Control Secretariat must immediately seize all tobacco products that are not certified under the law.

Kenneth Mwehonge, executive director of HEPS-Uganda, said Uganda spends about $120 million (sh432b) annually on tobacco-related effects.

Moses Kiligwajjo, a member of TMI, said tobacco use is a major contributor to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

“The burden of non-communicable diseases, a significant proportion is linked to tobacco use. The Ministry of Finance and Budget Committee should ensure higher taxes and stringent measures plus public awareness, should be enforced on tobacco products,” Kiligwajjo said.

Ministry of Finance responds

In an interview with New Vision on March 15, 2026, Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), said the ministry is waiting for the CSOs’ tax proposals.

Musasizi said the Ministry of Finance will listen to all stakeholders, assess the implications, and respond accordingly. He added that consideration of tax bills and the tax budget will begin on April 1, 2026.

“The Ministry of Finance imposes heavy charges on imported cigarettes. We have also been under pressure to increase excise rates on tobacco products to reduce the health-related risks,” explained Musasizi.

One smoker interviewed in Kampala, who declined to be named, said, “Much as the law was put in place there were no gazetted places for smokers. Apparently, when one wants to smoke it is hell one gets insults from the public.”

“We need to be given freedom as smokers let the government put in place what was agreed for us, we are only able to get such facilities in big hotels only,” he said.

The Tobacco Control Act 2015

The Tobacco Control Act was passed on July 28, 2015, assented to on September 19, 2015, and came into force on May 17, 2016.

Dr Chris Baryomunsi, then Minister of State for Health and Kinkizi East legislator, moved a Private Member’s Bill to regulate tobacco use and safeguard public health.

The law introduced 100% smoke-free public spaces, banned shisha and e-cigarettes, prohibited tobacco advertising, and required 65% pictorial health warnings on packaging.

It also prohibits smoking within 50 metres of public places, bans the sale of tobacco to anyone under 21, and restricts sales in health facilities, schools, and cinemas.

The Act incorporates Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, protecting public health policies from the commercial interests of the tobacco industry.