Only 5% of Ugandans covered by social insurance schemes – report
The findings were revealed on Thursday (June 18) during an orientation workshop on social protection advocacy and dissemination of the Social Economic Status Report targeting refugee and host communities, held in Kampala.
Stakeholders pose for a photo an orientation workshop on social protection advocacy and dissemination of the Social Economic Status Report targeting refugee and host communities. (Photo by Ryhman Agaba)
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Only five per cent of Ugandans are covered by formal social insurance schemes, while health insurance coverage remains below three per cent, exposing millions of people to poverty and economic shocks, according to a new report.
The findings were revealed on Thursday (June 18) during an orientation workshop on social protection advocacy and dissemination of the Social Economic Status Report targeting refugee and host communities, held in Kampala.
The workshop was organised by the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection (UPFSP) in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and brought together more than 60 Members of Parliament, government officials and development partners.
Nakajubi further noted that elderly persons, pregnant and lactating mothers, persons with disabilities and people living with chronic illnesses remain the most vulnerable groups within refugee and host communities.
“The elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers, persons with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses remain the most vulnerable groups in refugee and host communities,” she said during the workshop at Imperial Royale Hotel.
The report also revealed that approximately 75 per cent of refugees and host community members surveyed earn less than Shs250,000 per month, limiting their ability to save or contribute to social security schemes.
“About 75 per cent of refugees and host community members surveyed earn less than Shs250,000 per month, limiting their ability to save or contribute to social security schemes,” Nakajubi said.
The findings have prompted Members of Parliament and social protection advocates to call for urgent reforms, the expansion of social safety nets, and the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme to protect vulnerable populations from falling deeper into poverty.
Paul Onana, Deputy Head of the Expanding Social Protection Programme (ESP) at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said social protection should be viewed as a tool for managing risks and vulnerabilities rather than merely addressing poverty.
He explained that social protection systems help individuals and families withstand shocks such as illness, disability, drought and the loss of a breadwinner.
“Social protection is about protecting, preventing and building resilience so that even when people face drought, illness, disability or the loss of a breadwinner, they can still cope with dignity,” he added.
Mwenya Kapasa, Technical Officer for Social Protection at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), emphasised the need for inclusive systems that leave no one behind.
“Our focus is ensuring that we have social protection systems that bring everybody on board and ensure that no one is left behind,” Kapasa said.
He noted that Uganda is among eight countries benefiting from the PROSPECTS programme, a global initiative that seeks to improve livelihoods for refugees and host communities through education, employment, infrastructure development and social protection.
“Uganda is one of the eight countries benefiting from the PROSPECTS programme, which seeks to improve livelihoods for refugees and host communities through education, employment, infrastructure and social protection,” Kapasa said.
Outgoing Kyegegwa District Woman MP and Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection, Flavia Rwabuhoro Kabahenda, urged government and development partners to invest more in social protection programmes for both refugees and host communities.
“If we are to live with refugees in peace and stability, we must invest in social protection for both refugees and host communities,” Kabahenda said.
She argued that many informal workers, particularly women operating small businesses, remain excluded from existing social protection mechanisms despite their contribution to the economy.
“Those women you see laying their tomatoes on the ground deserve social protection. They do not have pensions; they do not have anywhere to fall back. We need a social protection system that covers them,” she said.
Kabahenda stressed that access to social protection is a constitutional right rather than a privilege.
“We are not asking for a favour. We are asking for a right that is in the Constitution. It is a right for the people of Uganda to live in dignity,” she said.
She further described social protection as a lifelong necessity that should support citizens from childhood through old age.
“Social protection starts from birth until you die. It is a life-cycle approach, and at every stage of life, you need a social protection component to support you,” Kabahenda said.
Participants at the workshop pledged to strengthen parliamentary advocacy and policy interventions aimed at improving the welfare and resilience of refugees, host communities and other vulnerable populations across Uganda.