Keep heart disease, strokes at bay through smart fat choices this Christmas

During the festive season, many people are excited about buying a lot of food, regardless of whether it has natural fats or artificial ones.

However, Dr Denis Male, a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Makerere University,  has urged Ugandans to consume natural fats instead of processed ones.

He says consuming natural fats from foods like milk, groundnuts, meat and other natural oil edibles reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke in our bodies.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) report that was released on January 24, 2024, shows that in Uganda, cardiovascular disease accounts for 10% of all deaths, making it the most common non-communicable cause of death in the country. WHO research shows that about 278,000 deaths annually have been ascribed to the consumption of trans-fats, making it the most common non-communicable cause of death globally, with 34% and specific deaths specifically from cardiovascular disease by 28%," Male says.

He adds that industrially-produced trans-fats are a toxic chemical used in packaged foods to extend shelf life and for deep frying oils, which increases the risk of acquiring heart disease, stroke, and death due to the artificial cholesterol it builds up in our blood arteries when consumed.

Uganda National Health Consumers’ organization (UNHCO) executive director Robinah Kaitiritimba says they are disappointed to learn of an alleged draft UN declaration for a blanket ban on trans-fats reported around July 2025 by media outlets.

She says Trans-fat acids (TFA), which are unsaturated fatty acids (plant oils, avocados, nuts, and fish) are healthier than industrially produced trans fats (iTFAs), therefore, the blanket ban of both TFA and ITFAs is likely to cause mixed reactions and divert stakeholders from the real danger posed by iTFAs and curtail policy processes underway to regulate trans-fats in Uganda and the region.

However, according to a report from nature.com dated September 2, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly discussed a proposal to eliminate trans-fatty acids (trans fats) from diets.

These fats are mainly produced industrially. They clog up arteries, increasing people’s risk of a heart attack or death. Some 60 countries are already on a path to eliminating these fats, and the World Health Organisation has certified that nine have removed industrially-produced trans fats from their food supply.

Sarah Ngalombi, a nutritionist in the health ministry, appealed to the processors to use the right technology so that they don't produce trans- fat acids.

‘‘We are working closely with the Ministry of Trade and Uganda National Bureau of Standards to take up their responsibilities of allowing the right products on the market that will not harm people’s lives," Ngalombi said.

Mable Musinguzi, the programe officer at UNHCO,  says they are working in partnership with key stakeholders, including Parliament, the health ministry and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, in collaboration with Makerere School of Public Health, to initiate an advocacy campaign for mandatory regulations for industrially produced trans fats.

She adds that this campaign has resulted in a civil society-developed standard for Industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (iTFAs), which laid the ground for the ongoing effort led by the Ministry of Health to develop regulations for iTFAs under the Public Health Act to save lives.

This was at a press conference held at the UNHCO offices in Bukoto, Kampala on December 23.