By Kabuye Ronald
Baguma Richard Tinkasimiire, the National Coordinator of the Uganda Health Communications Alliance (UHCA), has raised concerns over the government’s reluctance to increase taxes on tobacco products, despite their significant health risks.

Baguma made the remarks during the breakfast discussion on tobacco taxation, where he questioned, “How can we raise water taxes but not tobacco?” highlighting the inconsistency in fiscal policies that affect public health.
Baguma emphasized the urgent need for higher tobacco taxes to safeguard the future of Ugandan children. He urged the media to hold the government accountable for its inaction, pointing out that Uganda currently scores poorly in cigarette pricing, making tobacco products easily accessible to minors and vulnerable populations thus calling for the arrest and charging of the ministry of finance official with treason since they are have spent four years without increasing taxes on tobacco products which is not the case with the public’s basic needs such as water, fuel, food among others.

According to Baguma , increasing tobacco taxes is a crucial strategy not only to mitigate the health burden caused by tobacco use but also to generate additional government revenue. He noted that Uganda’s tobacco tax structure remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum standard of 70% of the total retail price of cigarettes.
He further outlined the detrimental effects of smoking, including reduced fertility in women and delays in conception for first-time pregnancies. “Higher taxes are necessary to effectively reduce smoking among vulnerable groups, including youth, pregnant women, and low-income smokers,” he stated.

Baguma described tobacco use as a “silent destroyer,” warning that each puff contains harmful chemicals that contribute to diseases such as cancer and heart failure. However, he offered a message of hope, encouraging individuals to quit smoking to improve their health and quality of life.
Mable Tukunda Musinguzi, from the Uganda National Health Consumers Organization UNHCO, revealed that since 2017, each sportsman cigarette was tax priced at Shillings 55 yet on market it is sold at Shs 250 to 300 asserting that the tax pricing is to little compared to the profits made.”Its on that note that we are calling for the increase of the tax to at least shillings 150 to help government to get revenue and the tobacco companies to keep in business since they will continue to make profits.
she added that the move will also help in preventing minors from taking tobacco products and those using it to quit.
The discussion reflects ongoing concerns regarding tobacco regulation in Uganda and the need for comprehensive policies to address this pressing public health issue.