Uganda has dropped to 10th place out of 100 countries in the 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, down from 7th position in 2023, raising fresh concerns about the country’s ability to safeguard public health policies from industry influence.
The ranking, released by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, gives Uganda a score of 41, pointing to persistent weaknesses in transparency, conflict of interest safeguards, and protection against tobacco industry lobbying.
The findings were unveiled on Thursday at the offices of the Uganda National Health Consumers’ Organisation in Bukoto, where civil society actors and government stakeholders officially launched the Uganda Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025.
Reading a joint statement, UNHCO Programme Officer Slyveria Aloch described the index as a critical tool for exposing tactics used by tobacco companies to weaken tobacco control efforts.
“Uganda has made significant strides in tobacco control. Yet, despite these achievements, the tobacco industry continues to employ tactics that undermine our progress through lobbying, illegal interactions with government officials, and corporate social responsibility activities designed to improve its image,” Aloch said.
Uganda ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2007 and enacted the Tobacco Control Act in 2015 to shield public health policies from industry interference. However, stakeholders say enforcement remains weak.
The report describes industry interference as “the single greatest threat to tobacco control,” warning that it continues to cost Uganda billions in economic losses while fuelling tobacco-related diseases.
UNHCO Executive Director Robinnah Kaitiritimba expressed concern over Uganda’s decline in ranking, warning of serious consequences.
“This is a grave concern because it is not just a position. It shows that we are going to lose lives, that Uganda is not collecting enough revenue from tobacco, and that more young people are going to start smoking, leading to increased cancer and other tobacco-related illnesses,” she said.
Kaitiritimba called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and higher tobacco taxes, arguing that current rates are too low to significantly reduce consumption.
“We want government to enforce the law, and we also want an increment in tobacco tax. Last year we urged Parliament to increase it to 10%, which is negligible and cannot impact consumption,” she added.
She also warned that the tobacco industry is increasingly targeting vulnerable groups. “They are using women to portray smoking as attractive and introducing flavored e-cigarettes to lure young people. This is the danger we must address,” she said.
Members of Parliament echoed similar concerns. Kigulu South MP Milton Muwuma, who also serves as Secretary of the Parliamentary Tobacco Control Caucus, described the ranking as a “red flag.”
“Passing laws is one thing, but enforcing them remains a challenge. In many communities, people still smoke in public and tobacco products continue to be promoted,” Muwuma said, calling on enforcement agencies to step up action.
Bukooli South MP Peter Okeyoh noted that gaps in implementation continue to undermine the law’s intent.
“You still find young children exposed to tobacco. People buy single sticks, which promotes consumption, yet the law intended to make tobacco less accessible,” Okeyoh said.
Civil society activist Richard Baguma warned that Uganda is “facing a battle for the soul of this nation,” accusing tobacco companies of targeting young people through misleading marketing, product design, and digital campaigns.
“The industry invests heavily in disinformation. They make products look attractive and use flavors that appeal to young people,” Baguma said, adding that companies often exaggerate the economic risks of higher taxes.
“Global evidence shows taxation does not kill the industry—it increases government revenue and protects public health,” he noted.
Stakeholders welcomed a recent move by the National Tobacco Control Committee to sign a conflict of interest declaration, describing it as a step toward greater accountability.
However, they called for stronger measures, including mandatory disclosure of meetings with tobacco companies, stricter enforcement of bans on industry-funded corporate social responsibility activities, and firm resistance to lobbying against tax increases.
UNHCO emphasized that the index goes beyond rankings, highlighting the broader stakes involved.
“This is not just about numbers—it is about protecting lives, safeguarding our youth, and ensuring that Uganda’s health policies remain free from tobacco industry influence,” the organisation said.