Experts Urge Trans Fat Ban Amid Rising Heart Disease Rates

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1445 EAT on Thursday 26 March 2026

Nutritionists and civil society organisations are urging the Ugandan government to take urgent action to eliminate industrially produced trans fats (ITFAs) from the country’s food supply, warning that their continued consumption is contributing to a rise in heart disease and other non-communicable conditions.

Speaking at a media briefing in Kampala, Joan Kembabazi, advocacy officer for the ITFA Project at the Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), called for stronger regulation and increased public awareness to protect Ugandans from the harmful effects of trans fats.

“Industrially produced trans fats are contributing significantly to cardiovascular diseases in Uganda,” Kembabazi said.

“We need firm policies and greater public awareness to reduce their consumption.”
Trans fats are commonly found in processed foods such as margarine, baked goods, fried items, and snacks. They are produced when liquid oils are chemically transformed into solid fats to extend shelf life and improve texture.

Medical evidence shows that trans fats raise harmful cholesterol levels, clog arteries, and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 278,000 deaths each year are linked to the consumption of industrial trans fats.

Health experts warn that Uganda is already feeling the impact. Non-communicable diseases account for around 33 per cent of all deaths in the country, with cardiovascular conditions making up a significant portion.

In 2019, over 28,000 Ugandans reportedly died from heart-related illnesses, underscoring a growing public health challenge. At the Uganda Heart Institute, the strain is increasingly evident. Denis Musoga, a principal nutritionist at the facility, said the hospital treats about 150 patients daily, including roughly 30 children.

“Many of these cases are linked to poor dietary habits, particularly the high consumption of trans fats,” Musoga said.

“These diets lead to high cholesterol, which can result in hypertension and heart disease,” Musoga said, adding that treatment remains costly and out of reach for many Ugandans.

“Managing cardiovascular diseases is expensive. A single visit can cost around Shs 500,000 just for tests, which is unaffordable for the average Ugandan,” he said.

Globally, efforts to eliminate trans fats have been gaining momentum. Under its REPLACE action plan, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a target for countries to phase out industrial trans fats by 2023, recommending strict limits—or a complete ban—on partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of these harmful fats.

Nearly 60 countries have already introduced measures to limit industrial trans fats, protecting almost half of the global population. In Africa, only South Africa and Nigeria have fully implemented such regulations.

Joan Kembabazi of the ITFA Project at CEFROHT said Uganda is working with the Ministry of Health to develop similar rules, combining limits on trans fats with a ban on harmful oils. She emphasized that access to safe food is a constitutional right, making it the government’s responsibility to safeguard public health.

Bernard Bwambale, head of programmes at consumer advocacy group CONSENT, said healthier alternatives are available but remain too expensive for many Ugandans.

“There are oils like sunflower and olive oil on the market,” Bwambale said. “The main challenge is affordability, which drives many people toward cheaper, unhealthy options.”

Experts are calling for policies that not only restrict harmful fats but also make healthier alternatives more accessible.

They warn that eliminating industrial trans fats could reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life, urging coordinated action from government, industry, media, and the public to curb Uganda’s rising burden of heart disease

-Observer

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