Government Commits to Increased Health Financing Despite Donor Withdrawals

The Ugandan government has reaffirmed its commitment to boost health sector financing, even as some donors withdraw support from the national budget. This announcement was made during the closure of the first National Health Financing Dialogue at Speke Resort Munyonyo. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, represented by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, emphasised the government’s dedication to strengthening health funding despite external challenges.

In the 2025/2026 financial year, the government has allocated UGX 4.47 trillion to the health sector. However, this figure falls short of the 15% benchmark set by the Abuja Declaration, a commitment Uganda signed to prioritise health financing. President Museveni acknowledged the gap and stated that the focus will now shift to minimising financial leakages and exploring new avenues for mobilising domestic resources.  

Development partners at the dialogue stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the utilisation of health funds to achieve universal health coverage. Dr. Kasonde Mulenga Mwinga, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, and Gift Malunga, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, both pledged continued support for Uganda’s health systems. They emphasised the need for efficient resource management to maximise impact.  

Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph Ruyonga, Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee and Hoima West MP, highlighted the urgency of addressing unfunded health priorities in future budgets. He called for a more strategic allocation of resources to ensure critical health needs are met, particularly in underserved regions.  

The dialogue concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen health financing mechanisms, improve accountability, and foster partnerships to sustain Uganda’s progress toward better healthcare for all.