MPs push for stronger safeguards after Uganda’s decline in tobacco control

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Members of Parliament have called for stronger safeguards against tobacco industry influence and tougher tax measures following Uganda’s decline in the 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index.

Uganda dropped to 10th place out of 100 countries, down from 7th in 2023—a shift lawmakers and public health advocates say signals growing vulnerabilities in protecting health policies from tobacco industry interference.

The findings, unveiled during a stakeholder meeting at the Uganda National Health Consumers’ Organisation (UNHCO) offices in Bukoto on Thursday, have reignited debate on enforcement gaps and weak regulatory controls nearly a decade after the Tobacco Control Act, 2015 came into force.

Kigulu South MP Milton Muwuma, who also serves as Secretary of the Parliamentary Tobacco Control Caucus described the drop as a “red flag,” warning that progress in tobacco control could easily be reversed without stronger oversight.

“Passing laws is one thing, but enforcement remains our biggest challenge. Tobacco use is still widespread, especially in rural communities,” Muwuma said, urging the government to tighten monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

The 2025 report gives Uganda a score of 41, pointing to weaknesses in transparency, conflict-of-interest management and enforcement of safeguards meant to limit industry influence on public policy.

Public health advocates argue that these gaps enable tobacco companies to influence decisions through lobbying, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and indirect engagement with policymakers.

Slyveria Aloch, a health advocate, warned that industry interference remains the biggest threat to effective tobacco control.

“While Uganda has made progress, we must strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure public health policy is insulated from commercial interests,” she said.

Taxation emerged as a key area of concern, with stakeholders arguing that Uganda’s current tobacco tax regime is too weak to discourage consumption.

UNHCO Executive Director Robinnah Kaitiritimba said the country risks a rising disease burden if urgent action is not taken.

“We need stronger enforcement of the law and significantly higher tobacco taxes. Current rates are too low to deter use, especially among young people,” she said.

Bukooli South MP Peter Okeyoh emphasised the need for data-driven policy decisions, noting that the cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses far outweighs the revenue generated from the industry.

“Preventive taxation is one of the most powerful tools we have. Increasing taxes will save lives and reduce pressure on the healthcare system,” Okeyoh said.

Stakeholders also raised concern over the industry’s growing focus on youth, citing aggressive marketing tactics such as flavoured products, digital advertising and lifestyle branding.

“The industry is targeting young people and women using sophisticated messaging. Without stronger regulation, we risk creating a new generation of smokers,” Kaitiritimba warned.

Civil society groups are now calling for stricter transparency rules, including mandatory disclosure of meetings between government officials and tobacco industry representatives, as well as tighter enforcement of bans on industry-sponsored activities.

Despite the concerns, stakeholders welcomed recent steps such as conflict-of-interest declarations by the National Tobacco Control Committee, describing them as a move in the right direction.

However, they stressed that more comprehensive reforms are needed.

As Uganda grapples with balancing public health and revenue interests, lawmakers say the country must act decisively to strengthen safeguards, raise taxes and protect policy-making from industry interference.

“The question is whether we prioritise profits or people’s lives,” said one advocate, summing up the urgency of the moment.