The NRM government has laid out its latest achievements in Uganda’s health sector, showcasing improvements in hospital infrastructure, medical supplies, and emergency services. While the country has made great strides, challenges like underfunding and staffing shortages continue to slow progress.
Better Hospitals, More Housing for Medics
Several health facilities have been upgraded, including Muko HCIV, which has been elevated to a general hospital, and renovations at Kabwohe and Semuto HC IVs.
To support health workers, the government has constructed 976 staff housing units across the country. However, with demand still higher than supply, many medical professionals remain without proper accommodation.
For specialized treatment, regional cancer centers are being set up in Arua, Gulu, Jinja, and Mbarara, allowing patients outside Kampala to access care closer to home.
More Doctors, Better Salaries, and Training
In an effort to address the shortage of medical personnel, the government has recruited 47 senior consultants and specialists, with more expected in the coming years.
To build a stronger workforce, 99 scholarships have been awarded for medical specialists to pursue master’s and fellowship programs. Salaries for health workers have also been increased to boost motivation and retain top talent.
Improved Medical Supplies & Digital Tracking
Hospitals now have high-capacity oxygen plants, supplying up to 6,600 cylinders per day—a significant upgrade, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in oxygen availability.
To prevent drug theft and counterfeits, all government medicines are now embossed for easy identification. A digitized Logistics Management System (eLMIS) has also been introduced to improve drug distribution and accountability.
Fighting Disease Through Prevention
Cervical cancer screening services are now available in all regional referral hospitals, ensuring more women get tested early. Immunization efforts have also ramped up, with HPV vaccine uptake hitting 157% for the first dose.
On the maternal health front, 381 health center IIs have been upgraded to HC IIIs, improving access to quality care for expectant mothers. Maternal mortality rates have dropped to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, but Uganda is still far from its 2030 target of 70 per 100,000. Over 170 HC IVs are now equipped to perform cesarean sections, reducing birth-related complications.
Emergency Services Expand
Ambulance services are improving, with 123 new ambulances and 14 boat ambulances now operational. A national ambulance system with 14 call and dispatch centers is also in development, and the National Emergency and Trauma Center in Naguru is nearing completion.
What’s Next?
Despite these improvements, the health sector still faces major challenges, including limited funding, infrastructure gaps, and shortages of ambulances and medical staff. To tackle these issues, the government’s key priorities for 2025/26 include:
• Expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme
• Strengthening digital health tracking
• Investing in medical research and local pharmaceutical production
• Boosting primary healthcare services at the community level
With these plans in motion, the Ministry of Health is aiming for universal health coverage by 2030. The question is—can they get there in time?
