Health 12 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Health Advocates Demand 200% Tobacco Tax Hike to Curb Smoking
Uganda's anti-tobacco coalition is urging Parliament to raise excise taxes on tobacco products by 200% for the 2026/2027 financial year, citing low current rates and strong public support. The push aims to deter consumption, cut tobacco-related deaths, and generate revenue for public health. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/health-groups-push-for-200-increase-in-tobacco-taxes-5389510
Health activists from the Uganda Tobacco Taxation Coalition have petitioned Parliament for a major overhaul of tobacco taxes. They want a 200% increase in excise duties on cigarettes and other products starting in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Richard Baguma, head of the Uganda Health Communication Alliance, highlighted that tobacco use drives preventable deaths from cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. He pointed out that the current excise tax covers just 32% of cigarette retail prices, well below the WHO’s 70% recommendation, keeping products too affordable.
Robinah Katiritimbi of the Uganda National Health Consumers’ Organisation called for a uniform tax across all tobacco categories to plug loopholes exploited by manufacturers. She advocated progressive annual hikes to counter inflation and income growth, aligning with Uganda’s WHO Framework Convention commitments.
The advocates noted potential revenue gains for health programs and cited the 2024 Global Adult Tobacco Survey, where 87% of Ugandans backed higher taxes. Parliament recently approved a tax rise for 2025/26 after review, with new proposals due in late April 2026.
Source: Daily Monitor