Ugandan doctors slam Makerere researchers’ diabetes claims as ‘fake and dangerous’

Medical experts accuse New Vision of peddling “alarmist and unscientific” misinformation about local staple foods like matooke and kalo

KAMPALA, Uganda — Leading Ugandan doctors have launched a scathing rebuttal against a widely circulated New Vision report that claimed traditional staples such as matooke and kalo are fueling the country’s diabetes crisis.

In a hard-hitting statement dated July 30, the Uganda Diabetes Association (UDA) dismissed the article as “grossly erroneous, unscientific, and dangerously misleading,” warning that the public risks being misinformed about nutrition and health.

“The assertion that staple foods cause diabetes is scientifically unsubstantiated,” the UDA said in its official response. “Singling out matooke and kalo… is not only misinforming but also alarmist and sensationalist.”

The controversial New Vision article, titled “Staple foods causing diabetes,” cited findings from a qualitative study led by Makerere University’s Dr. Juliet Kiguli, which attempted to link common Ugandan foods to rising diabetes rates. But doctors say it lacked peer-reviewed evidence and focused on social perceptions rather than scientific data.

Signed by top health experts including Dr. William Lumu (President of UDA), Dr. Davis Kibirige, Dr. Susan Nakireka, and Ms. Edith Mukantwari, the UDA statement urges media editors to “review and revise” the published article to reflect accurate, science-based information.

“The article promotes fear and confusion,” said Dr. Lumu. “It’s processed and sugary foods, not indigenous staples, that are driving the diabetes epidemic.”

According to UDA, local staples such as matooke, sweet potatoes, cassava, millet, and yams actually have low to moderate glycaemic index (GI) values — meaning they release sugar slowly and do not cause rapid blood sugar spikes when eaten in moderation.

In contrast, foods with high GI, such as refined sugars, white rice, posho, chips, and sodas, are strongly associated with the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

“The evidence shows a clear link between the rise in diabetes and increased consumption of ultra-processed, carbohydrate-heavy foods, not our traditional meals,” UDA stated.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Uganda’s Ministry of Health shows that over 500,000 Ugandans are currently living with diabetes — a figure that is expected to rise due to urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary shifts.

In 2023, Uganda’s national diabetes prevalence stood at 1.4% among adults aged 18–69, with urban dwellers disproportionately affected — largely due to fast food consumption, sugary drinks, and lack of physical activity.

Concluding its statement, UDA warned that media platforms must exercise caution when reporting on health issues. It called on New Vision editors to retract or revise the article and consult nutrition and diabetes specialists before publishing future content.

“Public health is not a clickbait headline,” said one UDA member. “Our people deserve truth backed by science — not fearmongering.”