About Us
NCD Alliance East Africa (EANCDA) was formed in 2014 as an informal network of the national Non-Communicable Diseases Alliances of East Africa. The goal was to create a strong Alliance of advocates to increase awareness and advocate for action against NCDs in East Africa.
The Alliance is organized in a cascading structure at two main levels at the regional and national levels. The regional level is constituted by the National Alliance of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar (which is a semi-autonomous territory under Tanzania). The national NCD Alliances are in turn constituted by member Associations. They are each constituted by a strong membership of different national societies of non-communicable diseases such as Cancer Societies, Diabetes Associations, Cardiovascular Disease Associations, patients’ associations, and other civil society organizations working in the area of non-communicable diseases. The member associations also in turn have diverse membership for example the Stroke or Cancer Societies have medical professionals, patient groups, hostels, or health advocates.
The EANCDA is currently working to strengthen the institutional capacity of NCD Alliances and regional NCD collaboration. At the same time, it is working to support governments, regional institutions like the East African Community and WHO Africa Region, and other NCD civil societies to increase regional response to NCDs.
Our Core Values
People and human rights centered
Strategic Partnerships
Transparency and accountability
Objectivity and independence
Our Mission
"To contribute to people-centered NCD prevention and control in East Africa and Africa through evidence-based advocacy and related interventions"
Our Vision
"An East African population that is free from Non-Communicable Diseases"
Our History
EANCDA was established in 2014 as a dedicated response to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in East Africa. The alliance was created to unite key stakeholders—ranging from patients and healthcare providers to policymakers—across the region. Since its inception, EANCDA has expanded its reach to 8 countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zanzibar, Somalia and Ethiopia providing a collaborative platform to advocate for improved prevention, treatment, and policy reforms that address NCD challenges in the region.
Under the visionary leadership of its founding president, Professor Gerald Yonga from Kenya, EANCDA has evolved into a robust network driving significant regional impact. His commitment and strategic foresight have been instrumental in advancing comprehensive advocacy campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and policy interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Today, EANCDA continues to empower communities and influence health policies, serving as a critical force in the fight against NCDs across East Africa.
The emergence of NCD Alliance East Africa reflects the ever-urgent need for action for the prevention and control of NCDs in the East African Region. Over this period, we have implemented several projects on advocacy, research, and capacity building. This work has involved undertaking regional benchmark surveys to track progress and to use the same to demand accountability on governments. Through this work, we have made several achievements, which include:
The East Africa NCDs Charter
In light of the increasing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the East African Sub-Region, the East African NCD Alliance (EANCDA) convened and adopted the Charter, based on the results of a regional benchmark survey, conversations with people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) and NCD health care providers, and outcomes from the stakeholders’ workshop held in Kigali on January 25-27, 2018. The consideration of the East Africa NCDs Charter Commitments;
Incorporation of NCD prevention, management and control in all national development plans, ensure policy coherence and coordinated action to efficiently mainstream NCDs and health in all national development plans
Increased national budgetary allocations for health (aimed at achieving the Abuja Declaration of 15% of the national budget) to support Universal Health Care through strengthened Primary Health Care (PHC) system with specific activities for NCD prevention and care. For countries with devolved governments, sub-national government budget allocation to the health sector should mirror the Abuja Declaration as well.
Involvement of PLWNCDs and their caregivers in the formulation, implementation and review of all NCD policies, legislation, strategies, guidelines and activities
Full implementation of tobacco and alcohol control legislation and policies, especially with regard to banning of advertising, and warning messages on products
Full implementation of taxation for alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods and drinks, and the allocation of these taxes to the prevention, management and control of NCDs
Development and implementation of effective integrated nutrition policies for control of both under-nutrition, overweight and obesity
Regulations on production, sale and marketing of foods and drinks containing high sugar, salt and trans-fats, especially those targeting children
Ensuring that the environment is conducive for healthy living and the promotion of healthy recreational habits targeting the youth to counter the rising prevalence of tobacco use, substance abuse, unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity amongst this age group
Comprehensive road safety interventions to mitigate the economic impacts from injuries and deaths due to road traffic accidents
Effective Inter-Sectoral Coordinating Committees at the sub-national and national levels that include NCD prevention, management and control in their remit
