Ugandans have been urged to always engage in regular physical activities and undertake routine medical to prevent diabetes and other non communicable diseases.
The appeal has been sounded by Dr. Fressera Seruka Bunjo Muyiga during a media dialogue on diabetes and NCD awareness at Aga Khan University, Nakawa Campus.
Dr. Bunjo has advised people to ensure weight loss, balanced diet , reduce alcohol consumption and smoking.
She dismissed the unfounded talks that diabetes is a disease for the rich people and obese people while those on insulin are on the edge of death saying all these are misleading diabetes can affect anyone and that insulin saves life.
Among others symptoms of diabetes include; frequent urination, frequent thirsty, increased appetite and burning pains.
Meanwhile Dr. Fressera has called on pregnant women to always monitor their sugar levels since many have faced complications due to lack of awareness.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) which coordinates non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and control efforts through programs like the NCDI Commission and a dedicated NCD department says they are a significant health problem, causing an estimated 33-35% of total deaths. Specific figures show high rates of hypertension (around 24-26.4%), with recent surveys indicating 1.3-1.4% prevalence for diabetes and 3% for pre-diabetes.
However Key initiatives include enforcing the National Tobacco Control Act, developing strategies for risk factors, and incorporating NCDs into national health policies and plans, with recent efforts focused on integrating NCD and communicable disease services and improving the supply of NCD medicines has been earmarked as priorities to save the population.
By Alex Magala
12th Nov 2025
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