Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease in Uganda: Epidemiological Insights and Health Policy Responses

Mwende Muthoni D.

Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are rapidly emerging as significant public health concerns in Uganda, driven by urbanization, changing lifestyles, and limited healthcare infrastructure. This review explores the epidemiological trends of hypertension and CVD in Uganda, highlighting their prevalence, risk factors, and regional disparities. It further examines health policy responses, including the National Non-Communicable Diseases Strategy, and the gaps in its implementation. Despite efforts to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Uganda’s healthcare system faces challenges, such as inadequate funding, shortages of healthcare personnel, limited access to essential medications, and insufficient public health campaigns. The review calls for stronger policy implementation, healthcare system strengthening, and increased public awareness to mitigate the rising prevalence of hypertension and CVD, which pose a threat to Uganda’s long-term health outcomes.

Keywords: Hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, Uganda, epidemiology, non-communicable diseases, urbanization.

CITE AS: Mwende Muthoni D. (2025). Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease in Uganda: Epidemiological Insights and Health Policy Responses. Research Output Journal of Biological and Applied Science 5(1):55-59. https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJBAS/2025/515559