WHO urges Uganda to prioritize health in budget

World Health Organization (WHO) has urged government to increase the annual health expenditure in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

In this regard, the WHO Representative in Uganda Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, said the increment should target investment in family and reproductive health with continued investment in the primary health care infrastructure.

Universal Health Coverage involves all people and communities being able to access health services without suffering financial hardship, once implemented.

The national budget allocations for the new financial year 2025/2026 stand at sh5.87 trillion, which represents 8.1% of the national budget.

Uganda’s commitment under the Abuja declaration is to raise it to 15%.

The Country Director of KOICA, Jihee Ahn, said the Government of Korea remains steadfast in its commitment to Uganda's journey toward universal health coverage and health equity.

“We believe Uganda can achieve the same journey South Korea also made in a short span of time after escaping poverty,” Jihee noted.

The remarks were made during the commissioning of the refurbished Bulamagi HC III in Iganga district.

The same event doubled as the closure of the health systems strengthening project for improved reproductive, maternal newborn, child and adolescent health service delivery in Busoga region on Friday.

Bulamagi HC III in Iganga district was refurbished under the Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Government of Korea – KOICA.

The five-year project that cost $10m was implemented in the five districts of Busoga region - Bugiri, Kamuli, Iganga, Mayuge and Buyende.

Ministry of Health commissioner for reproductive explains to the PS Dr Diana Atwine, the different refurbished health facilities in Busoga region. (Credit: Agnes Kyotalengerire)

Dr. Mwinga described the launch as a significant milestone in the collective journey towards achieving universal health coverage in Uganda.

“Such investments are not a one-off capital work. They are fundamental enablers of integrated people-centred primary health care, which is the backbone of universal health coverage,” Dr. Mwinga said.

He further noted that the refurbished health facility will help to save mothers when they come to deliver and will also help to save newborns.

The commissioner in charge of reproductive health at the Health Ministry, Dr. Richard Mugahi, said there have been significant gains in regard to improvements in the quality of care.

For instance, there has been a calculated 20% increase in antenatal uptake across all five districts, with Kamuli registering the highest. “In addition, the functionality of the health facilities improved, and there was a reduction in maternal mortality in the five districts,” Dr. Mugahi said.

Felister Kamwine, a midwife at Balamagi Health Centre III in Iganga district, said before the project was established, the health situation was dire. For instance, they would register only 200 pregnant women coming to seek antenatal care services.

This number has now risen to 500. Plus, the number of deliveries has gone up from 20 to 50 a month.

In addition, midwives and health workers were trained on how to care for adolescents and how to refer high-risk pregnant mothers. 

The Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, said that although there is tremendous progress, a lot more is needed.

The fertility rate in the Busoga sub-region is 6.1 births per woman. This rate is higher than the national average of 5.4 births per woman.

Busoga region has one of the highest fertility rates in Uganda, along with Karamoja. This high fertility rate is associated with factors like limited access to family planning and high number of teenage pregnancies.

Dr Atwine said that with proper planning, budgeting, execution, as well as support from partners like  KOICA and WHO, tremendous gains will be realised in the next five years.