Bishops vow to continue healthcare ministry despite foreign aid cuts
“We cannot simply wait for donors to return. We must seek new partnerships. We must lobby for policy and budget inclusion. We must harness our resources, both material and relational to sustain the health mission,” Korutaro said.
Bishops vow to continue healthcare ministry despite foreign aid cuts
By Mathias Mazinga
Journalists @New Vision
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Like other faith-based not-for-profit health-care organisations, the Joint Medical Store (JMS), an ecumenical establishment that deals in essential medicines and medical equipment supply, is currently grappling with operational challenges due to dwindling foreign aid, particularly following the halting of crucial USAID projects.
Among the USAID schemes whose termination reportedly affected the operations of JMS is the Warehousing and Distribution Project, which, according to board chairperson Rhobert Korutaro, contributed approximately shillings nine billion in annual revenue, with five billion directly subsidising the organisation’s warehousing and distribution costs.
“The project supported warehousing and distribution, contributed to staff salaries and other administrative costs at JMS in addition to the support to the health facilities. Its closure has not only affected our financial position but has also left about 528 private not-for-profit (PNFP) facilities uncertain about the continuity of HIV commodity supplies. In addition, JMS has to lay off more than 30 staff,” Korutaro says.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu (left) shares a moment with the Chairman of the Uganda Catholic Episcopal Conference, the Most Rev Bishop Prof Joseph Antony Zziwa. This was during the visit of the ecumenical prelates at Joint Medical Store (JMS), Nsambya, in Makindye Division on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. 
Interestingly, though, even amidst such serious operational challenges, the Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Uganda, who co-own the Joint Medical Store (JMS) (and its supply-chain facilities) have vowed to be even more committed than ever to providing quality healthcare to their followers and all Ugandans. They voiced their commitment during their visit to JMS head office at Nsambya on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Led by the chairperson of Uganda Episcopal Conference, the Most Rev Prof Joseph Antony Zziwa and Church of Uganda Archbishop Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, the prelates were welcomed at JMS by the organisation’s executive director, Dr Bildard Baguma, who commended them for their goodwill and commitment to the organization and ecclesial health-care in general.
The prelates were then briefed about the current operations of the organisation in view of the changing global funding landscape.
Changing landscape
Board chairperson Rhobert Korutaro said: “Traditional donor support that once heavily subsidised essential medicines and other health supplies, especially for not-for-profit and faith-based health institutions is steadily declining. More and more, donors are redirecting funds domestically and toward emergency responses, climate-related crises, or into countries with even greater need.”
Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese (wearing a black cassock) shares a light moment with the staff of Joint Medical Store during the visit of the ecumenical prelates to the organisation's head office at Nsambya, in Makindye Division on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. 
“This change affects all of us. The health worker struggling to keep the health unit stocked, the patient who walks for miles hoping to find medicine, and the faithful who depend on Church facilities for dignified, affordable care. For JMS and the Church-based health network, it means we can no longer rely on predictable large-scale external support to bridge funding gaps, sustain inventories, or subsidise lifesaving interventions.”
“We cannot simply wait for donors to return. We must seek new partnerships. We must lobby for policy and budget inclusion. We must harness our resources, both material and relational to sustain the health mission,” Korutaro said.
As proof of his conviction about the possibility of self-reliance, Korutaro listed several faith-based hospitals, which accomplished great projects using local resources. They included Mutolere Hospital in Kabale Diocese, which secured a CT scan worth approximately shillings one billion with support from Pepsi Uganda; Mengo Hospital in Namirembe Diocese that now operates a functional Blood Bank thanks to Rotary International, and St Francis Hospital Nsambya in Kampala Archdiocese, which is actively fundraising for a Rotary Cancer Centre, a strategic initiative to expand cancer care access.
Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau executive director Dr Tonny Tumwesigye expressed the need for research, in order to know the real health needs of communities and consequently come up with health services tailored to those needs.
He expressed concern that 153 staff in his network had lost their jobs and about 8,000 clients were no longer accessing ARVs due to foreign aid cuts. As a strategic remedy, he proposed the establishment of pro-poor schemes.
He also encouraged stakeholders in the faith-based health-care networks to operate/promote private patient facilities. He also advocated the swift establishment/implementation of the much-desired national health insurance.
The Chairman of the Board of Joint Medical Store, Rhobert Korutaro delivers his presentation. This was during the visit of the ecumenical prelates to Joint Medical Store, Nsambya, in Makindye Division on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. 
Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau executive director Dr Sam Orach had no kind words for people who criticise the continued involvement of the Church in healthcare in spite of the challenging working environment.
We cannot abandon this work
“There are people who ask us, “Why are you struggling to do the work of government? Why don’t you leave the government to do it?” I disagree with them. We are not doing the work of government and we cannot abandon it to them. The work we are doing is the work of Christ. Government just helps us to do the work of Christ. We are the ones that Christ commissioned. If we abandon it, who will do it?”
Like the previous speakers, Orach supported the introduction of user fees as one of the strategies for self-reliance.
He nonetheless cautioned that anything related to user fees must be done carefully, and must also have the approval of the government and other stakeholders. Orach also encouraged careful integration of services.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of JMS, the Rt Rev Bishop Robert Muhiirwa highlighted the need for his brother-bishops to strengthen their diocesan health boards.
He also encouraged the dioceses to develop/own a sustainability plan for their health facilities.
“This could include exploring local income-generating activities, increasing patient-centred services, and building partnerships that are not solely dependent on donor aid. Our parishes are filled with people who are willing to contribute to a cause that saves lives. Health Sundays, diocesan medical appeals, and community health drives can become a reliable source of local support if we guide them with vision.”
The ED of Joint Medical Store (JMS), Dr Bildard Baguma delivers his welcome remarks during the visit of the ecumenical prelates to the organisation's head office at Nsambya, in Makindye Division on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. 
“We must engage our government and civil leaders. PNFPs provide over 40% of Uganda’s health services, especially in rural and underserved areas. This contribution must be recognised and supported not just with words, but through policy and funding. The government could borrow a leaf from how the Ministry of Education and Sports supports some of our schools with funds. A similar approach should be adopted to support our health facilities. Let us not forget that our work is spiritual before it is technical. We are reminded in Proverbs 21:5 that, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” And again in Psalm 127:1, we are cautioned that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. ”Our plans and strategies must be grounded in prayer, guided by God’s wisdom, and executed with diligence,” Muhiirwa told his colleagues.
During the symposium, the ecumenical prelates including Anglican Bishop Sheldon Mwesigye of Ankole, Anglican Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of South Ankole, Anglican Bishop Dan Zoreka of Kinkizi, Anglican Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Rwenzori, Catholic Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira of Kasese, Catholic Archbishop (emeritus) John Baptist Odama of Gulu, Catholic Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of Lira, Anglican Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni of West Ankole, Anglican Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi and Catholic Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese all acknowledged the financial challenges caused by the gross/abrupt reduction in foreign aid and the need to come up with effective and sustainable measures for self-reliance.