ATCRI published this information about a meeting that took place in Uganda on February 9,2010.
Today, February 9, 2010 Africa
Tobacco Situational Analysis in Uganda began on a high beat. About 47
participants representing diverse experts from civil society,
governmental officials like the Police, Prison Services, ministry of
education and Sports, World Health Organization and the Media converged
to discuss the situation of Tobacco Control in Uganda.
The director General of Health Services in Uganda ministry of Health,
Dr. Sam Zaramba whose speech was presented by Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi,
also a director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse expressed the need
to form a stronger alliance. The director in his speech was strong in
expressing his ministry’s interest in joining the list of countries
that has strong legislation on Tobacco Control, but he point at a
challenge – “We know that in the struggle against tobacco, we face a
powerful enemy. They are well established, they continue expanding and
they have many resources” the director says this ministry is aware of
the industry’s activities and will be working on counteracting this
activities effectively.
Requiring a strong legislation and move onto another level on Tobacco
Control in Uganda, the director made a commitment to submit a memo to
the ministry of Justice (the ministry which was quoted to have been
slow in pushing for the legislation). This memo she says will be
submitted to the Cabinet so as to remind the ministry and stimulate
discussion on its commitment for quick implementation.
The stakeholders' meeting in Uganda is part of the ongoing Africa
Tobacco Situational Analysis, ATSA, project that is aimed at gathering
accurate information on the true reflection of Tobacco Control in
Uganda. Uganda is part of the six mini ATSA project funded by
International Development Research Centre, IDRC being executed by
Africa Tobacco Control Initiative.
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