Uganda is facing a silent but deadly health crisis poor dietary habits that are fuelling the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. In recent years, social media trends and urban lifestyles have normalized unhealthy snacking, especially among young people. Snack September is a timely intervention that seeks to reverse this trend by encouraging Ugandans to swap unhealthy snacks for nutritious alternatives during the entire month of September.
Why Snack September?
Unhealthy snacking habits characterized by sugary drinks, fried snacks, refined carbohydrates, and highly processed foods are a leading cause of poor health outcomes. In Uganda, over 75% of diseases are preventable, and nearly 70% are directly linked to poor diets and sedentary lifestyles
Recent surveys reveal that 23.9% of adults are overweight, 9.3% are obese, and 3.3% are living with diabetes. Among children, 24.4% under five years are stunted, while others suffer from undernutrition or obesity. These alarming statistics indicate a double burden of malnutrition undernutrition and overnutrition driven largely by poor snacking habits and lack of nutrition awareness.
The Problem with Modern Snacking
The popularity of fast foods and packaged snacks has skyrocketed in Uganda, especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Coupled with social media influence, these foods dominate online advertisements, making them appear trendy and convenient. Unfortunately, these snacks are often loaded with sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, which increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and lifestyle-related diseases. Furthermore, excessive consumption of sugary snacks and soft drinks in children and adolescents is associated with poor academic performance, dental problems, and early onset of chronic diseases.
Why a Nutrition Campaign Now?
Globally, NCDs kill 41 million people annually, with 77% of these deaths occurring in low income countries. In Uganda, it is estimated that 17 million people die before the age of 70 due to preventable conditions. Despite the Ministry of Health’s interventions, unhealthy food environments and poor awareness continue to dominate communities. Snack September comes at a critical time when unhealthy eating patterns are normalized, and social media can either worsen or fix the problem. By leveraging social media for positive change, the campaign can create a powerful movement towards healthier snacking.
Target Audience
Snack September primarily targets Ugandans aged 18 years and above, particularly those active on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X. Young adults, adolescents, and caregivers are key because they are both consumers and influencers of family dietary habits.
Encouraging Ugandans to Take Part
Ugandans are encouraged to actively participate by posting their snack swaps on social media using the hashtag #SnackSeptember. Daily prompts and fun challenges such as “swap biscuits for bananas” or “ditch soda for sparkling water with lime” make participation easy and exciting.
We aim to increase awareness of healthy snacking, reduce sugar intake, and inspire long-term behaviour change. Small swaps today can prevent big health problems tomorrow. Together, let us create a culture where nutritious snacks are not just a choice but a lifestyle.
The health of our nation begins with the choices we make every day. Snack September is not just a campaign it is a movement to protect Ugandans from diet-related diseases, save families from medical bills, and build a healthier future. The time to act is now. Are you ready to make the swap?
Kamara Daniel, Nutritionist- Bwindi Community Hospital
