By Jackline Nabirye
Communications Officer – ICPAU
The burden of diabetes in Uganda and across the globe is on a dangerous upward trajectory, with experts warning that prevalence could double in the next decade if no deliberate interventions are taken.
Speaking at the 30th ICPAU Annual Seminar held under the theme, “Positioning Professionals for Sustainable Impact,” internal medicine physician Dr Anne Amate and nutritionist Lakeli Atamba delivered a sobering but empowering message on “Staying Fit for Purpose: Diabetes Prevention and Lifelong Management.”
Amate underscored that diabetes is not a single disease but a spectrum of disorders rooted in pancreatic dysfunction and insulin resistance.
“The pancreas is the key to life, while the liver is like that big factory that does everything for our bodies,” she explained.
Cautioning that many people remain undiagnosed until complications arise, Amate noted that, in Uganda, an estimated 48 per cent of diabetes cases go undetected, and the costs of treatment are often catastrophic for families.
She highlighted that risk factors are both non-modifiable, such as age, sex, family history, and conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and modifiable, including obesity, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and chronic sleep deprivation.
“Sleeping less than four hours a night puts the body under extreme stress, increasing the risk of diabetes,” Amate noted, adding that hypertension often walks hand in hand with the condition.
She stressed that prevention remains the best defensec. For those at risk, adopting long-term lifestyle modifications is crucial; engaging in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly, choosing low glycemic index foods, and preserving pancreatic function through early screening and intervention.
For patients living with diabetes, the target is maintaining fasting glucose levels between 4–6.5 mmol/L and monitoring regularly through personal glucose meters.
Complementing Amate’s medical perspective, Lakeli Atamba emphasised the central role of nutrition and body composition in preventing metabolic diseases. She urged participants to focus not just on weight but on muscle mass, visceral fat, and metabolic health.
“Muscle mass is a strong predictor of longevity. The higher your muscle mass, the better your insulin sensitivity and your ability to prevent type 2 diabetes,” she explained.
She recommended intentional daily practices such as prioritising high-quality proteins, engaging in strength training, especially for those above 40 years, maintaining proper hydration, and ensuring adequate rest. She also warned that excessive visceral fat, often hidden around abdominal organs, is a red flag for metabolic disorders even in individuals with a “normal” body mass index.
The joint presentation was a call to action for professionals and the public alike to take personal responsibility for lifestyle choices.
“Making intentional changes for the betterment of your health is a gradual process,” Atamba said.
“It starts with daily decisions, what you eat, how much you move and how well you rest,” she added.
As diabetes cases continue to rise, the experts urged early screening, increased awareness, and a shift towards healthier living to avert what could otherwise become a public health crisis.
The ICPAU Annual Seminar is a three-day event that blends technical learning with soft skills development, team building, and recreation, creating a platform for both professional advancement and personal enrichment. The seminar is being held from 3 – 5 September 2025 at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe and online.
The seminar was organised in partnership with Deposit Protection Fund, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, KPMG, Bank of Uganda, National Social Security Fund, National Identification and Registration Authority, PKF, Standard Chartered, Uganda Communications Commission, NCBA, Financial Intelligence Authority, Centenary Bank, Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda National Oil Company, Stanbic Bank, Kampala Capital City Authority, Wazalendo SACCO, East African Development Bank, Grant Thornton, PostBank, Electricity Regulatory Authority, Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda, Prudential, Kalinda & Associates, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Forvis Mazars, Ediomu & Co., Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, KIIS FM, Ronalds, Sebuuma CPA, Radio One, Old Mutual Investment Group, CBS FM and CPA SACCO.
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