By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Anti-Tobacco Crusaders under their umbrella body, Uganda Tobacco Tax coalition have called on parliament to slap 200% tax increment on Cigarettes and Tobacco Products in the next financial year 2026/2027.
The Coordinator for Uganda Tobacco Tax coalition (UTTC), Richard Baguma believes that if parliament approves 200% tax increment on tobacco products, it will save lives of more than 330 Ugandans who die due to tobacco related illnesses in addition to earning more billions in form of revenue collected from cigarettes and tobacco products.
He made the call in Kampala while addressing the media on the dangers of tobacco usage and the tax recommendations provided by World Health Organization on tobacco products.
Speaking to the media in Kampala on March 13, 2026, Baguma demands parliament to increase exercise duty tax on tobacco products to 200% arguing that the current Tobacco Tax is less than what is recommended by World Health Organization. He added that different taxes on tobacco encourages tobacco industries to switch from one tax to another hence creating gaps in tax administration.
Baguma expressed displeasure on the serious stagnation in tax policy and adjustments to much inflation. He said increased taxes on tobacco products will lead to reduction on cigarette consumption by 400 million sticks annually and will save 330 people who die on daily basis due to tobacco related ailments.
Baguma noted that the 2024 Global health survey indicate that 87% of Ugandans expressed support for higher taxes on tobacco products.
The Executive Director Uganda National Health Consumers Organization (UNHCO), Robinah Kaitiritimba, strongly condemned cigarettes smoking saying the vice adds no value to human health adding that she concurs with slapping a tax Increment on Cigarettes and Tobacco Products.
Marble Musinguzi Kokunda, the Advocacy officer at Uganda National Health Consumers Organization (UNHCO), said 70% of the Ugandan population are youth hence there is need to protect them from smoking tobacco products which is dangerous to human health.
