Experts have pointed to a societal mindset as one of the biggest factors hindering preventive care in Uganda.
“Eating vegetables is perceived as a sign of poverty. Cycling to work is remembered as something people used to do when they were poor .When it comes to alcohol, it’s widely accepted and normalized. People don’t view it as something that requires intervention or moderation unless there’s already a problem,” Dr. Elizabeth Ekirapa Kiracho from the Makerere University School of Public Health said.
“In our culture, a pregnant woman is often told she is eating for two, and once she gives birth, she’s encouraged to breastfeed as the only solution to weight gain. There’s rarely a conversation about balanced diets or physical activity during and after pregnancy.”
She was on Friday speaking during this year’s family health expo and symposium at the UMA Showgrounds in Kampala.
The three day expo is organized by Copious Health Services under the theme, “Innovating Health to Overcome Funding Gaps and Advancing Preventive Health Care through the Private Sector.”
Dr.Ekirapa said societal norms are discouraging the very habits that the country needs to promote a healthier population
She also pointed to ignorance as another bottleneck to achieving preventive care .
“When you look at spaces for physical activity, some of the fields, where people used to meet in the afternoon, evening and play football, many of them have been taken up by malls. We are not investing enough in some of the infrastructure that we require for us to promote prevention,” she said.
“Cycling is a very useful form preventive care but some of our mindsets do not encourage that. We don’t encourage ourselves to go for regular checks yet it is crucial.”
Dr.Ekirapa said individual initiatives have been neglected as members of the public wait for government intervention.
“This needs to start with us as individuals. We need to change our mindset. We need to be disciplined. When we think about preventive care, it’s not just about government putting in money. It’s also about us, the discipline, the focus, setting goals and ensuring that we are doing the right thing to improve our health.”
Dr. Ekirapa also urged multi-sectoral coordination, explaining that healthcare can no longer function in isolation.
“If someone wants to jog, but the roads have no sidewalks or it’s unsafe, then prevention is already undermined. Health is about infrastructure, workplace policies, nutrition, and security.”
Echoing the same call, Sr. Mary Grace Akiror from the Office of the President, who officiated the event, challenged all Ugandans to act on health as a personal and national priority.
“We prioritize many things campaigns, politics but do we prioritize health?” she asked. “Let this be a call to action. It’s not about doctors alone. We are all going to be medical people, trained or untrained. Health demands collective effort.”
She called for creative ways to reach masses during large gatherings such as the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations:
“Can’t we go beyond just treating swollen legs and start teaching preventive health practices to these pilgrims? That would be meaningful change.”
The CEO and co-founder for Copious Health Services, Brian Boogere, positioned the expo as a deliberate response to global funding cuts.
“We are responding to the aid cut our nation is facing,” he declared. “Uganda has the resources. If we collaborate and work together, we can ensure every Ugandan has access to affordable health care. There is a culture in our country where people usually go to the doctors when it is too late. There are a lot of diseases that by the time they surface, it is too late, you know, like those non communicable diseases, or what some other people call lifestyle diseases but also cancer. By the time it surfaces, it might be too late. So we need to encourage our people to embrace prevention,”Boogere said.
He said the expo is not just another health event but a launchpad for action:
“This space has transformed into a hub of health screening, expert dialogue, youth empowerment and partnerships. Whether you’re a policymaker, parent, or student—this Expo is for you.”
Ambassador Lady Goldy Oboma from the Federation of Uganda Employers, emphasized the need to shift from donor dependency to employer-driven wellness and insurance reforms.
“Insurance helps us mitigate risks. We implore every employer to provide health education services and wellness programs at workplaces,” she said, adding that “there’s no health without mental health.”
She advocated for tailored insurance solutions for gig workers, single mothers, and the informal sector and pushed for policy adjustments such as “mental health days” off work:
“Self-care is not selfish. If you’re not okay mentally, take a day off. Let’s push for such changes in labor policy to enhance productivity.”
Patrick Luwaga, the Chairperson of Uganda Healthcare Federation, emphasized private sector inclusion in healthcare delivery:
“With the theme leaning heavily on private sector involvement, it gives me great pleasure to see you here today. Your presence affirms our shared commitment to improving health outcomes through private sector innovation and collaboration.”
The expo continues through the weekend, with hundreds of Ugandans accessing free medical services, expert counseling, and health information booths.
The message resounding through the symposium is clear: Uganda must look within and mobilize its own resources to protect the health of its people
