Activists urge government to expedite tobacco law implementation
L-R: Ms Georgine Obwana, Ms Mable Kakunda Musinguzi, and Mr. Moses Talibita, activists from the Uganda Tobacco Taxation Coalition (UTTC), speaking at the Tobacco Industry Interference press conference in Ntinda on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Photo by David Walugembe.
What you need to know:
According to the activists, the protocol is designed to establish an international tracking and tracing system to curb the smuggling and counterfeiting of tobacco products, both of which contribute to unregulated consumption and the loss of government revenue
Activists from the Uganda Tobacco Taxation Coalition (UTTC) are calling on the government to accelerate the adoption of the Illicit Trade Protocol (ITP) to strengthen efforts in combating the illegal tobacco trade, which continues to pose significant risks to public health.
According to the activists, the protocol is designed to establish an international tracking and tracing system to curb the smuggling and counterfeiting of tobacco products, both of which contribute to unregulated consumption and the loss of government revenue.
Speaking at a press conference in Ntinda today, Mr Moses Talibita, a representative of the Tobacco Control Committee, stressed the importance of enforcing stricter measures on the sale and distribution of tobacco products, particularly those without clear health warnings.
“The government must fast-track the adoption of the Illicit Trade Protocol to combat the illegal tobacco trade, protect public health, enhance revenue collection, and effectively address illicit trade activities,” Mr Talibita said.
He further urged policymakers, civil society organizations, and the public to demand greater accountability and transparency from the tobacco industry. This includes ensuring compliance with mandatory reporting requirements and upholding the integrity of the Tobacco Control Act of 2015.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 15 percent of boys and 13 percent of girls aged 13 to 15 years take up smoking annually. Tobacco-related illnesses claim approximately 204 Ugandan lives each week—higher than the combined toll of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, road accidents, and crime.
WHO also estimates that one in every ten Ugandans smokes cigarettes daily, with tobacco use costing the country approximately USD 126 million annually in direct medical care and lost productivity due to premature death and illness.
Despite the Tobacco Control Act of 2015, which bans smoking in workplaces, public transport, and other enclosed spaces, and restricts the advertising, promotion, and display of tobacco products in hospitals, schools, and recreational areas, activists argue that weak enforcement has allowed violations to persist.
At the same event, Ms Mable Kakunda Musinguzi, Programs Manager at Uganda National Health Users and Consumers, called on the government to increase taxes on tobacco products as a strategy to reduce consumption and expand the tax base to improve healthcare services.
“Cigarettes remain widely affordable due to low taxation, making them accessible to people of all ages. We urge the government to increase taxes on tobacco products, as this would help reduce consumption while generating revenue to enhance lung and cancer treatment facilities in Uganda,” Ms Kakunda emphasized.
