Uganda’s NCD burden grows as 70% remain undiagnosed

Health experts have raised concerns over the growing number of Ugandans living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), many of whom remain unaware of their condition.

Experts estimate that at least 70% of individuals with NCDs do not realise they have them, as these diseases often progress silently, showing no symptoms or causing pain in their early stages.

NCDs, which are not transmitted from person to person, include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and mental health disorders—conditions that are increasingly prevalent.

Speaking at a two-day NCD joint stakeholders meeting at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on February 18, 2025, Dr Robert Kalyesubula, a specialist in kidney diseases and NCDs, cautioned that many people with high blood pressure and diabetes eventually develop kidney disease.

Presenting on The Burden of NCDs and Associated Risk Factors, Dr Frank Mugabe, Principal Medical Officer in the Department of NCDs, shared alarming statistics.

He revealed that NCDs contribute to nearly 40% of Uganda’s disease burden, account for 35% of hospital deaths, and are responsible for 41% of deaths from NCDs and injuries.

Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health interacting with Executive Director of the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau, Dr Tony Tumwesigye interacting after a two-day NCD Joint Stakeholders Meeting at Imperial Royale Hotel.

The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Health, Healthy Heart Africa, and AstraZeneca, brought together over 20 civil society organisations.

Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, underscored the urgent need to prioritise prevention, given the high costs associated with managing NCDs. "We need a very clear strategy on prevention because the burden is overwhelming," she stressed.

Experts also called for the integration of NCD services into all health facility service points and outreach programmes.

Atwine further noted that, with the country’s limited resources and high disease burden, working in isolation is not an option.

"We have been talking about integration even in reproductive health. When conducting cancer screenings, we should also include family planning services. We need a comprehensive approach where all health services are interconnected," she said.

The executive director of the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau, Dr Tony Tumwesigye, commended the participants and pledged to enhance collaboration and partnerships in the fight against NCDs.