Health
Satisfaction with healthcare in Uganda rises to 72%
The nine-percentage-point increase was recorded in the 2025/2026 financial year, suggesting an improvement in patients' experiences at health facilities across the country.
Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi presided over the event. (File photo)
By: John Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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The proportion of Ugandans satisfied with healthcare services has risen from 63% to 72%, according to the Ministry of Health's latest annual performance report.
The nine-percentage-point increase was recorded in the 2025/2026 financial year, suggesting an improvement in patients' experiences at health facilities across the country.
However, the report does not explain what accounted for the increase in satisfaction. It instead highlights several persistent shortcomings that continue to frustrate patients seeking medical care.
The report shows significant regional differences, with Ankole and Kigezi recording the highest satisfaction levels at 80% each, while Kampala had the lowest at 58%, followed by North Buganda at 59%.
The Ministry of Health released the study dubbed 'Annual Health Sector Performance Report (AHSPR)' at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on November 4. The event was presided over by the health minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi.
The AHSPR is the Ministry of Health's yearly assessment of the performance of the health sector and local governments against their work plans and strategic objectives.
It examines key indicators, including access to essential health services such as immunisation, antenatal care and deliveries, as well as the burden of diseases such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases.
The assessment is intended to identify weaknesses in service delivery, inform government spending priorities and strengthen accountability in the health sector.
The AHSPR is the Ministry of Health's yearly assessment of the performance of the health sector and local governments against their work plans and strategic objectives.
It examines key indicators, including access to essential health services such as immunisation, antenatal care and deliveries, as well as the burden of diseases such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases.
The assessment is intended to identify weaknesses in service delivery, inform government spending priorities and strengthen accountability in the health sector.
After Ankole and Kigezi, Lango recorded 78% healthcare service satisfaction, followed by Bunyoro at 72% and Bugisu at 70%.
Other regions, including Teso, Bukedi, Acholi, Tooro and Karamoja, also featured among those with lower satisfaction levels.
A breakdown by ownership of health facilities shows that private not-for-profit facilities recorded 81% client satisfaction, while private for-profit facilities registered 72% satisfaction, down from 81% in the previous financial year.
Government health facilities, however, registered an improvement, with client satisfaction rising to 71% from 61% in 2024/2025.
However, patients expressed dissatisfaction over some services. Among the reasons the patients gave for dissatisfaction were; unavailability of medicines and medical supplies, delays in receiving services, lack of privacy, cost of private wings and the limited range of services.
The report identifies medicine and medical supplies shortages and delays in accessing services as the leading complaints, each accounting for 18% of the responses.
Other regions, including Teso, Bukedi, Acholi, Tooro and Karamoja, also featured among those with lower satisfaction levels.
A breakdown by ownership of health facilities shows that private not-for-profit facilities recorded 81% client satisfaction, while private for-profit facilities registered 72% satisfaction, down from 81% in the previous financial year.
Government health facilities, however, registered an improvement, with client satisfaction rising to 71% from 61% in 2024/2025.
However, patients expressed dissatisfaction over some services. Among the reasons the patients gave for dissatisfaction were; unavailability of medicines and medical supplies, delays in receiving services, lack of privacy, cost of private wings and the limited range of services.
The report identifies medicine and medical supplies shortages and delays in accessing services as the leading complaints, each accounting for 18% of the responses.