The government of Uganda has mandated all civil servants to allocate two hours per week for physical exercise, aiming to promote their well-being and vitality. The directive, conveyed through a letter from the head of public service, Lucy Nakyobe, stated the importance of these sessions in preserving staff health and mitigating the burden of diseases.
The Government of Uganda also took to Twitter to reveal the initiative’s role in curbing the escalating prevalence of lifestyle-related ailments in the nation.
This initiative follows a concerning trend highlighted in a national health survey, revealing a surge in obesity rates from 17% to 26% over the past 17 years.
Notably, Uganda has a history of promoting physical activity, evident in the establishment of a national day for physical activity back in 2018, marked by spirited sporting events held nationwide.
Dr. Charles Oyoo Akiya, the commissioner for non-communicable disease prevention, emphasised ongoing efforts within the health ministry to facilitate exercise sessions for its personnel, advocating for their adoption across all government departments.