By Spy Uganda
The United States and the Government of Uganda have signed a landmark five-year, $2.3 billion Bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening Uganda’s health system, combating infectious diseases, and advancing long-term global health security.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Kampala, underscoring the strategic importance of the agreement at the highest levels of Uganda’s fiscal and development leadership.
The pact represents one of the most significant U.S.–Uganda health commitments in decades. It aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy, which focuses on building resilient partner-country health systems capable of preventing and managing disease outbreaks before they pose global threats.
Under the new MOU, the United States plans to invest up to $1.7 billion between 2026 and 2030, while Uganda has committed to increasing its domestic health expenditure by more than $500 million, progressively assuming greater financial responsibility for national health programs.
Speaking at the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp highlighted the partnership’s focus on strengthening self-reliance and performance-driven health systems.
“This agreement represents a significant commitment by the United States and Uganda to co-invest in our shared global health priorities,” Ambassador Popp said. “Today, we are building on prior successes and making a significant shift toward promoting self-reliance in the health sector through strong community health systems, clear performance metrics, and a foundational commitment to data systems and global health security.”
Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, applauded the collaboration and emphasized the government’s dedication to increasing domestic investment in health.
“This collaboration will yield not only disease-specific outcomes but also significant improvements in national systems, institutions, and workforce capacity. This is highly commendable,” Minister Kasaija said, confirming Uganda’s commitment to allocate more than $500 million over the next five years.
Key Provisions Of Five-Year Agreement
The MOU outlines major reforms and investments designed to enhance sustainability and strengthen health outcomes nationwide:
1. Transition of Health Commodities
Procurement of most health commodities will progressively shift from the U.S. Government to Uganda, strengthening national supply chains and institutional capacity.
2. Integration of Frontline Health Workers
Frontline workers currently supported by U.S. funding will be mapped to official Ugandan health cadres and transitioned onto the Government of Uganda payroll.
3. Strengthened Data and Surveillance Systems
Significant U.S. investments will support Uganda’s digital health infrastructure, including expansion of electronic medical records, integrated national data systems, and advanced disease surveillance capabilities.
4. Support for Faith-Based Health Providers
Faith-based facilities will benefit from enhanced support through performance-based service agreements, expanded PHC grants, digitization efforts, and community health insurance initiatives.
5. Increased Domestic Co-Investment
Uganda’s commitment to boost its health expenditure by more than $500 million marks a critical step toward long-term sustainability and national ownership of the health sector.
The United States has supported Uganda’s health sector for more than 60 years, backing programs to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, polio, maternal and child mortality, and epidemic threats. The new MOU builds on these gains while positioning Uganda to increasingly lead, finance, and sustain its health agenda.
Both governments affirmed that the agreement represents a shared commitment to protecting the health of Ugandans and Americans alike, advancing global health security, and strengthening institutions capable of preventing future pandemics.
