Uganda Publishes Second Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Country Report
Date : 20 May 2026
Venue : Kampala, Uganda
The Ministry of Health of Uganda, the
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), and the African Field Epidemiology Network
(AFENET) have officially released the full Country Report for the 2023 Global
Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). This comprehensive publication provides a critical
baseline for evaluating how the country's tobacco consumption landscape has
evolved over the past decade. The document reveals that 6.7% of adults
(representing roughly 1.6 million individuals) are current tobacco users, with
5.6% identified as active smokers. Notably, the report notes substantial
behavioral changes since the 2013 baseline survey, highlighting a significant
decline in tobacco usage among women, which dropped from 4.6% to 2.6%. This
strategic text serves as an authoritative technical reference for monitoring
national public health objectives and measuring compliance with the Uganda
Tobacco Control Act of 2015.
Public understanding of tobacco-related
health hazards remains exceptionally strong, with 94.5% of adults recognizing
that tobacco consumption triggers serious medical conditions. However, the
report highlights areas requiring urgent policy focus, noting that secondhand
smoke exposure remains high at 62.9% inside bars or nightclubs and 15.3% within
enclosed workplaces. On a promising note, 61.0% of current smokers expressed a
clear intention or desire to quit, offering a vital entry point for expanding
structured cessation support services. This report establishes a robust evidence
base for the optimization of national tobacco control strategies and the
further development of cessation support services.
