Strengthened Multi-Sectoral Platform at Government Level Advances Healthy Diets and Physical Activity

  • April 21, 2021
  • Posted by: cefrohtadmin
  • Category: Advocacy
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Kampala— Multi-stakeholder engagements through the Advocacy Working Group (AWG) have intensified efforts to advance regulatory and fiscal measures promoting healthy diets and physical activity. Recent discussions between the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Drug Authority, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the Uganda Communications Commission, and civil society organizations (CSOs) under the AWG have revived critical human rights dialogues on food and nutrition legislation.

A strengthened joint commitment has emerged among key government bodies, including the Commissioners for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the Assistant Commissioner for Nutrition, the Ministry of Education, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. These stakeholders emphasized the urgent need to promote healthier diets and physical activity to curb the rising prevalence of NCDs.

Key Stakeholder Engagements

The Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), through the AWG, held strategic meetings with several institutions:

  1. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) – Discussions with the Director of Public Health focused on promoting physical activity in the city center and regulating the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children near schools.
  2. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) – Engagements with the Head of Multimedia and Content addressed restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods and beverages to children.
  3. Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) – A meeting with a research analyst explored evidence-sharing to support CEFROHT’s advocacy for healthier food environments.
  4. Office of the Prime Minister – Policy reforms on food, nutrition, and physical activity were deliberated.
  5. Ministry of Education and Sports – Talks centered on physical activity in schools and regulating food and beverage marketing in educational institutions.
  6. Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development – The Permanent Secretary, Commissioner for Community Development and Literacy, and the Children’s Authority discussed safeguarding children from unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.
  7. Uganda Law Reform Commission – Collaboration was agreed upon to review or draft laws promoting healthy diets and physical activity.
  8. Ministry of Trade – The Senior Economic Analyst and Commissioners for Internal and External Trade examined fiscal policies affecting dietary habits.

These engagements underscore a growing multi-sectoral commitment to combating NCDs through stronger regulations and public health initiatives. As discussions progress, stakeholders remain optimistic about policy reforms that will foster a healthier Uganda.