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Shift Media News 
By PATRICK JARAMOGI
Kampala, Uganda March 23 [SHIFT MEDIA] On a quiet Monday morning at Patio Restaurant, the usual hum of cutlery and conversation gave way to something far more urgent—an awakening. Journalists from across Uganda gathered not for a press briefing, but for a deeper mission: to understand, interrogate, and ultimately tell the story of a silent killer lurking in everyday diets—industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs).
The specialized media training, organized by Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights, was more than a workshop. It was a call to action.
For many in the room, the term iTFAs had long floated in the background of health reporting—technical, distant, and often overshadowed by more immediate crises. But as the sessions unfolded, it became clear that these fats, commonly found in processed foods, margarine, and deep-fried snacks, are anything but harmless.
Mr. Denis Musoga, a representative from the Uganda Heart Institute, brought the issue home with sobering statistics. He revealed that the Institute admits approximately 1,700 patients every month with heart-related diseases—amounting to over 20,000 cases annually. Even more alarming is the mortality rate: 21 percent of these patients do not survive.
“These are not just numbers,” Musoga told the attentive audience. “They are lives—fathers, mothers, young people—lost to conditions that are largely preventable.”
He emphasized that poor dietary choices, particularly the consumption of unhealthy fats, are a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). His message was simple but urgent: Ugandans must embrace healthier eating habits and integrate regular exercise into their daily lives.
But the responsibility, participants learned, does not lie with individuals alone.
Mr. Bwambale Bernard, Head of Programs at the Global Consumer Platform and a seasoned nutritionist, pointed to a broader systemic issue. He explained that industrially produced trans fats are among the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases globally, and Uganda is no exception.
“These fats are cheap, widely used, and dangerously harmful,” Bwambale said. “Yet many consumers are unaware of what they are consuming.”
He urged Ugandans to turn to healthier, locally available alternatives such as simsim (sesame), peanut, avocado, and olive oils—options that not only nourish the body but also reduce the risk of long-term health complications.
Beyond individual choices, however, lies a critical policy gap.
Bwambale noted that Uganda has yet to ratify guidelines set by the World Health Organization on the elimination of industrially produced trans fats. These guidelines, part of a global initiative to eliminate iTFAs by 2023, provide a roadmap for countries to regulate and ultimately phase out harmful fats from the food supply.
“Uganda is behind,” he said plainly. “We are signatories, but implementation has stalled.”
That delay, according to advocates, has real consequences.
Joan Kembabazi, Program Manager for Social Justice and Strategic Litigation at CEFROHT, did not mince words. She called on the government to act swiftly in ratifying and implementing the WHO protocol, emphasizing that Uganda’s commitment as a signatory must translate into tangible action.
“We cannot afford to drag our feet on this,” she said. “Every day of inaction is another day lives are at risk.”
Kembabazi highlighted ongoing efforts by CEFROHT and its partners to push for what is known as a hybrid regulation—an approach that combines legislative limits on trans fats with robust enforcement mechanisms and public awareness campaigns.
So far, only two African countries—Nigeria and South Africa—have fully implemented the WHO guidelines, completely eliminating industrially produced trans fats from their food systems. Uganda, she argued, has both the capacity and the obligation to follow suit.
For the journalists in attendance, the training was not just about acquiring knowledge—it was about redefining their role.
In a media landscape often driven by headlines and immediacy, public health issues like iTFAs can struggle to gain sustained attention. Yet, as the training underscored, journalists have the power to shape narratives, influence policy, and ultimately save lives.
By equipping reporters with technical understanding and investigative tools, CEFROHT aims to transform how health stories are told—moving beyond surface-level reporting to deeper, evidence-based journalism that holds systems accountable.
As the session drew to a close, the mood in the room was one of quiet determination. Notebooks were filled, questions lingered, and a new sense of responsibility took root.
Outside, Kampala’s streets buzzed as usual—vendors frying snacks, families sharing meals, life unfolding in all its vibrancy. But for those who had spent the day at Patio Restaurant, the ordinary now carried new weight.
Because sometimes, the most important stories are not the loudest—but the ones that, when told well, can change how a nation eats, lives, and survives.
