The rising incidence of diabetes in Uganda presents a serious health challenge. Dr. William Lumu, President of the Uganda Diabetes Association (UDA), reveals that approximately 50% of people living with diabetes are unaware of their condition. “For every two people you know with diabetes, there is another who is unaware that they have it,” Dr. Lumu explains.
Statistics from 2021 highlight the severity of the situation: out of 716,000 Ugandan adults diagnosed with diabetes, 89% either were not on medication or did not know they had the disease. This lack of awareness often leads to difficult-to-treat complications, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, are the leading causes of death. The World Health Organisation reports that these diseases account for 41 million deaths each year, with diabetes responsible for 1.5 million deaths in 2019 alone.
Dr. John Mudusu, a nutritionist at Kabasa Memorial Hospital in Budaka District, attributes part of the problem to dietary habits. He notes, “Ugandans are consuming excessive amounts of refined and junk foods, which lead to rapid insulin production and consequently an increase in diabetes cases.” Refined foods, which are quickly digested, can cause elevated blood sugar levels due to their lack of roughage, which is necessary for proper digestion.
Musa Mutyaba, a Senior Associate at the Workforce Nutrition Programme in the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Uganda office, underscores the importance of a balanced diet in preventing NCDs. He emphasizes the need to avoid excessive intake of refined carbohydrates, which are calorie-dense but lack essential fibre.
Dr. Susan Nakireka, a physician at Mengo Hospital and representative of Uganda in the East Africa Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance Initiative, echoes these concerns. She warns that without a proper dietary plan, managing diabetes effectively becomes challenging. “People’s unhealthy eating habits have increased the prevalence of NCDs, including diabetes,” she says. “A good dietary plan is crucial once diagnosed with diabetes to manage the condition successfully.”
