The Government of Uganda and the United States have signed a landmark $1.7 billion (about Shs6.4 trillion) Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) to fund Uganda’s health sector over the next five years, spanning 2026 to 2030.
The deal, signed at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development headquarters in Kampala, establishes a formal framework for implementing shared healthcare commitments between the two nations. It operationalises a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding signed by both governments on December 10, 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Henry Musasizi, expressed gratitude for Washington’s sustained investments in Uganda’s public health ecosystem. He noted that American support has historically been vital in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, alongside strengthening public health surveillance, outbreak responses, and medical supply chains.
Mr Musasizi emphasized that the $1.7 billion pact signals a pivot toward strengthening overall national health systems, boosting workforce capacity, and improving local planning and financing mechanisms rather than focusing solely on isolated, disease-specific interventions.
A central element of the agreement is the decision by the US government to progressively channel a higher proportion of its funds directly through Ugandan government systems in the form of budget support. Mr Musasizi welcomed this transition, noting that aligning foreign aid with national priorities enhances local ownership, transparency, and the long-term sustainability of development funding.
To ensure strict accountability and value for money, the agreement establishes a Joint Health Steering Committee (JHSC), which will oversee resource allocation, approve new activities, and select implementing partners. Mr Musasizi reminded stakeholders that the true test of the deal lies in achieving measurable improvements in local healthcare delivery.
Representing the US Embassy in Kampala, Chargé d’Affaires Mikaele Cleverley described the agreement as a strong sign of goodwill, respect, and confidence in the Ugandan government. He highlighted that the move toward direct government-to-government funding marks a historic evolution in how Washington delivers bilateral aid, aimed at empowering Uganda to take primary leadership of its public health agenda.
The Ministry of Health strongly praised the transition from traditional off-budget assistance-where funds were managed externally outside national treasury frameworks-to in-budget support managed through local public finance channels.
The Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, commended the policy shift, noting that direct funding through the Ministry of Finance will streamline operations. Dr Baryomunsi observed that while Uganda still faces significant burdens from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, past US partnerships have yielded vital progress. He pointed out that Uganda’s HIV prevalence has dropped significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in the late 1980s to 5.9 percent today, while overall national life expectancy has rebounded from 43 years during the height of the HIV crisis to 68 years.
Pledging full transparency, Dr Baryomunsi assured the public that the newly committed funds would be used effectively to further reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and improve the quality of life for all Ugandans.