Uganda and U.S. Forge Shs6 Trillion Health Sector Pact
Uganda and the United States have signed a pivotal five-year health sector agreement worth $1.7 billion, signaling a significant shift towards direct government-to-government financing. This accord, operational from 2026 to 2030, aims to bolster disease prevention, detection, and emergency response while strengthening government ownership and program sustainability.
Uganda and the United States have solidified their longstanding health partnership by signing a Strategic Objective Agreement, outlining a five-year health sector collaboration from 2026 to 2030. This landmark agreement, valued at approximately Shs6.42 trillion ($1.7 billion) from the US government, represents a significant shift in how US health assistance will be channeled, moving towards direct government-to-government financing.
The agreement was officially signed at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development by Minister of State for Finance (General Duties) Henry Musasizi and US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Mikael Cleverley. It operationalizes a Memorandum of Understanding previously established on December 10, 2025, committing the US to support disease prevention, detection, and emergency response within Uganda.
Historically, much of the US assistance has been provided off-budget through non-governmental organizations. Under this new framework, funding will increasingly flow directly through Uganda's Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. This strategic pivot aims to bolster government ownership, ensure external aid aligns with national priorities, and enhance the overall sustainability of health programs across the nation.
The total co-investment package for this ambitious initiative is estimated at $2.3 billion. This includes the US government's $1.7 billion commitment, alongside Uganda's pledge to progressively increase its domestic health sector financing by over $500 million throughout the five-year period.
Minister Musasizi hailed the agreement as