Eight years after Uganda introduced the National Day of Physical Activity to encourage exercise and curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Ministry of Health says public participation remains low.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of this year’s National Day of Physical Activity celebrations in Gulu City, Dr Charles Oyoo Akiya, the Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases, said many Ugandans still do not consider regular physical activity important despite sustained public awareness campaigns.
The Ministry says the low uptake of physical activity is contributing to the increasing burden of lifestyle-related diseases. Recent data show that 23.4 percent of Ugandans have high blood pressure, while 19 percent are overweight.
According to Dr Akiya, physical inactivity is particularly common in urban areas, where many people spend long hours sitting and consume diets high in sugar and salt. Figures from the ministry indicate that physical inactivity in urban areas stands at about 16 percent, compared to the national average of three percent.
Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health, said adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted physical activity every day to reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.
He said the Ministry has developed national physical activity guidelines for individuals and workplaces, which will soon be rolled out across government and private institutions.
Health experts, however, say guidelines alone will not improve public health unless individuals take personal responsibility for exercising regularly. Dr Frank Mugabe, a Principal Medical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases, urged Ugandans to make exercise part of their daily routine instead of waiting for government-organised events.
He also advised residents in urban areas to avoid exercising outdoors during peak traffic hours because of exposure to air pollution, which can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He encouraged people using gyms to seek guidance from qualified instructors to ensure they undertake exercises appropriate for their health and fitness levels-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
