Aziz Agaba

Enlightened. Broadminded.

[UNA UGANDA @UNAUGANDA]

Work without rest or a moment to recharge takes a toll on the body and our well-being. Today is a reminder that balance matters too.

From us to you, Happy Labour Day!

[Aziz Agaba @azizagaba]

#TaxTobaccoSaveLivesUG

[UHCA @uhca_ug]

The tobacco industry has itself structurally fueled the illicit market it claims to fight, then uses that narrative, backed by corporate financial reports, as a classic interference tactic to lobby policymakers,” says @azizagaba - (@unhco)

[UHCA @uhca_ug]

The tobacco industry has itself structurally fueled the illicit market it claims to fight, then uses that narrative, backed by corporate financial reports, as a classic interference tactic to lobby policymakers,” says @azizagaba - (@unhco)

[HEPS-Uganda @hepsuganda]

When the tobacco industry quietly influences tax and budget decisions behind closed doors, who ultimately pays the price, and how can we respond effectively?

Join us on the 27th February, for a one-hour X Space discussion on pushing back against tobacco industry interference in the tax and budget cycle.
Our panelists will engage in an open conversation starting at 7:00 PM.
Don’t miss:
X-space: https://t.co/bkB7Y2delF
#StrengthenTobaccoControlUg
@TalibitaM
@mkirigwajjo
@unhco
@uhca_ug
@BagumaRT
@lynderlinda
@KalemaxA
@KETCA254
@IGTC_Hopkins
@TobaccoFreeKids
@UNAUGANDA
@WHOUganda
@CTC_AFRICA
@TobaccoMonitor
@MinofHealthUG
@TobaccoFreeKids
@kis_page
@MBKeno
@jtalibita
@MinofHealthUG
@Hasunira
@mkirigwajjo
@dr_ngobi
@unhco
@UgCancerSociety
@ReafUg
@Uganetlaw
@paddy_malinga
@kis_page

[HEPS-Uganda @hepsuganda]

Earlier today, the Tobacco Industry Monitoring (TIM) team, hosted by @hepsuganda, briefed Dr. Ngobi Aggrey, the chairperson of the Tobacco Control Committee (TCC), on the mandate, role, and ongoing work of monitoring, exposing, and countering tobacco industry interference.
As part of strengthening collaboration, the TIM Team formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TCC to establish a structured, long-term collaboration in which civil society organizations contribute to the development of a centralized database for systematically monitoring and consolidating intelligence on tobacco industry interference.
This partnership will also grant access to the TIM Team to relevant non-proprietary data to support verification of tobacco industry compliance and ensure alignment with broader civil society compliance objectives.
#StrengthenTobaccoControlUg
@UNAUGANDA
@WHOUganda
@CTC_AFRICA
@TobaccoMonitor
@MinofHealthUG
@TobaccoFreeKids
@kis_page
@MBKeno
@jtalibita
@MinofHealthUG
@Hasunira
@mkirigwajjo
@dr_ngobi
@unhco
@UgCancerSociety
@ReafUg
@Uganetlaw

[Question Mark? @jtalibita]

Please @MinofHealthUG ensure the Tobacco industry complies with Schedule 6 of the Tobacco control Act on Annual Mandatory reporting @AfricaNoTobacco @uhca_ug @unhco @TobaccoCtrlUg @TobaccoFreeKids @CDCTobaccoFree

[HEPS-Uganda @hepsuganda]

How the Tobacco Industry Interferes with Public Health Policies https://t.co/u1OKgyRTTj

[George Musisi @GeorgeMusisi4]

We spent the day reaching out to our people in Bweyogerere Parish (Hassan Tourabi, Kazinga & Bbutto)!
They are ready for the #ProtestVote2026

[UHCA @uhca_ug]

Countering the tobacco industry interference.
#TaxTobaccoSaveLivesUg

https://t.co/HAJbw5xqqL

@unhco @UNAUGANDA @WFYouthAfrica @UgCancerSociety
@PolicyUganda @GeorgineObwana @azizagaba @CTC_AFRICA

[UNHCO - Uganda @unhco]

Despite Uganda’s bold move to raise cigarette taxes under the 2025 Excise Tax Amendment Act, the tobacco industry is cushioning smokers from price hikes ,weakening both public health and revenue gains.

@azizagaba of @unhco warns that by absorbing the tax, the industry undermines efforts to make cigarettes less affordable and reduce consumption.
Higher taxes must mean higher prices — that’s how we save lives,” he says, urging government to tighten price regulation and raise excise taxes further.
#TaxTobaccoSaveLivesUg #TobaccoControl

[UNA UGANDA @UNAUGANDA]

The journey continues!

After the success of the Uganda Model United Nations Conference 2025, get ready for #UMUN2026 you won’t want to miss it!

[UHCA @uhca_ug]

As @BagumaRT highlights, real-life stories are powerful. What may seem like a harmless trend, such as helping an elder light a cigarette can quickly lead to initiation and, eventually, nicotine addiction.

In his session, our coordinator @BagumaRT shares insights on crafting impactful advocacy messages for tobacco tax campaigns. By combining evidence with storytelling, advocates can better influence policymakers and the public.

A unified message from the @UgCancerSociety training: raising tobacco excise taxes to 75% is essential for safeguarding public health.
#TaxTobaccoSaveLivesUG

[UNA UGANDA @UNAUGANDA]

Young people were once called the leaders of tomorrow, but that tomorrow is already here, and they are leading today.

The Secretary-General, @BagumaRT, called on youths to embrace global citizenship, challenge mediocrity, preserve the best in their cultures, and nurture the seeds of purpose sown within them, with the confidence that they can.

Among the pressing issues facing young people is the deceptive influence of the tobacco industry, which continues to push harmful products through enticing and manipulative tactics. This reality was powerfully unpacked by @azizagaba from @unhco, who joined as a special guest during the Uganda Model United Nations Conference 2025.
#UMUN2025
#UN80
#SDGsAt10

[The Observer @observerug]

The silent killer in Uganda’s snacks. For many Ugandans, the danger is hidden in plain sight. Baked foods, packaged biscuits, margarines, fried street foods, microwave popcorn, even frozen pizzas - all can contain partially hydrogenated oils https://t.co/E4G3I1gk5f

[UNHCO - Uganda @unhco]

@DailyMonitor article on #TransFatFreeUG Campaign. #TransFatFreeEAC

@MinofHealthUG ; @UNBSug @maledenis @IncubatorGHAI

https://t.co/DnwbWdxvkN

[UNHCO - Uganda @unhco]

"we should distinguish between ... the trans-fatty acids ...we (the campaign) are talking about ... we are talking about those which are industrially-produced.." - Ms. Sarah Ngalombi, the Senior Nutritionist at @MinofHealthUG @UNBSug #TransFatFreeUG #TransFatFreeEAC @TawlaTZ @IILAinfo @IncubatorGHAI

[UNHCO - Uganda @unhco]

"..it is very important that we focus our attention on one of the biggest threats to our diet (industrially produced trans-fats) " - Dr @maledenis , @Makerere

@MinofHealthUG @UNBSug @IncubatorGHAI

[Aziz Agaba @azizagaba]

#TransFatFreeEAC
#TransFatFreeUG

[UNHCO - Uganda @unhco]

PRESS RELEASE
The Alleged Blanket Ban on Trans _Fats intended to divert attention from regulating industrially produced trans fats

The Uganda National Health Consumers Organisation is disappointed to learn of an alleged draft UN declaration for a blanket ��f tran fats reported in daily monitor of july 28th 2025. Trans fat. Or trans fatty acids (TFA) are unsaturated fatty ac8ds that come from either industrial or natural source .These recent intense discussions over a supposed blanket ban on the trans fats actually risk misleading the public and drawing attention away from pressing issues relating to the regulation of trans fats produced industrially (iTFA).

Unlike natural fats, iTFAs are toxic; they are man-made oils hidden in processed foods. According to the World Health Organization, iTFAs cause about hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year due to heart diseases and related complications.

Such a tale of a blanket ban confuses the public by implying that all fats are under attack. This is not true. What is needed—and long overdue in Uganda is targeted legislation against industrially produced trans fats in the food supply. Many countries have already passed such legislation, which has not hurt business. Instead, it protects the health of its citizens and saves lives.

We call upon policy-makers, regulators, and the public to look beyond these diversion tactics and focus on the real matter: a clear and enforceable law banning or limiting industrially produced trans fats in Uganda.

The health of our citizens must come before the industries' interests.
#TransFatFreeUG
#TransFatFreeEAC
#RegulateTransFatsNow

[UNHCO - Uganda @unhco]

PRESS RELEASE
The Alleged Blanket Ban on Trans _Fats intended to divert attention from regulating industrially produced trans fats

The Uganda National Health Consumers Organisation is disappointed to learn of an alleged draft UN declaration for a blanket òf tran fats reported in daily monitor of july 28th 2025. Trans fat. Or trans fatty acids (TFA) are unsaturated fatty ac8ds that come from either industrial or natural source .These recent intense discussions over a supposed blanket ban on the trans fats actually risk misleading the public and drawing attention away from pressing issues relating to the regulation of trans fats produced industrially (iTFA).

Unlike natural fats, iTFAs are toxic; they are man-made oils hidden in processed foods. According to the World Health Organization, iTFAs cause about hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year due to heart diseases and related complications.

Such a tale of a blanket ban confuses the public by implying that all fats are under attack. This is not true. What is needed—and long overdue in Uganda is targeted legislation against industrially produced trans fats in the food supply. Many countries have already passed such legislation, which has not hurt business. Instead, it protects the health of its citizens and saves lives.

We call upon policy-makers, regulators, and the public to look beyond these diversion tactics and focus on the real matter: a clear and enforceable law banning or limiting industrially produced trans fats in Uganda.

The health of our citizens must come before the industries' interests.
#TransFatFreeUG
#TransFatFreeEAC
#RegulateTransFatsNow

[Government of Uganda @GovUganda]

𝐂𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝: 𝐒𝐡𝐬 𝟔𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐬 𝟏𝟓𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬

Government has increased excise duty on soft cap cigarettes from Shs 55,000 to Shs 65,000, and hinge lid from Shs 80,000 to Shs 90,000 per 1,000 sticks.

For non-EAC imports, rates rise from Shs 75,000 to Shs 150,000 (soft cap) and Shs 100,000 to Shs 200,000 (hinge lid) a move to curb consumption and enhance revenue.@URAuganda
#KnowYourBudget25