U.S. and Uganda launch $2.3 Billion health partnership to boost self-reliance
Kampala — The Governments of the United States of America and Uganda have signed a five-year, $2.3 billion Bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at saving lives, strengthening Uganda’s health system, and enhancing global health security.
The agreement, signed under the America First Global Health Strategy, outlines a shared vision to prevent and respond to existing and emerging infectious diseases while supporting Uganda’s transition toward a resilient, self-reliant health system.
Under the MOU, the United States plans to provide up to $1.7 billion between 2026 and 2030 to support priority health programs, while the Government of Uganda has committed to increasing its domestic health financing by more than $500 million over the same period.
Priority areas of cooperation include HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, polio eradication, global health security, disease surveillance, human resources for health, and emergency preparedness. The agreement also includes continued support for faith-based health service providers.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda H.E. William W. Popp described the agreement as a milestone in bilateral relations.
“This clear and accountable arrangement outlines how our governments will support life-saving services, strengthen systems that protect both our countries, and ensure responsible use of American taxpayer dollars,” Ambassador Popp said.
“This MOU reflects a significant shift toward self-reliance, national leadership, and durable health systems that can prevent, detect, and respond to health threats,” he added.
Ambassador Popp noted that the agreement aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy, which prioritizes protecting Americans from outbreaks while supporting partner countries to build strong local systems.
Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, welcomed the agreement, describing it as a major boost to Uganda’s health sector.
“The Government of Uganda acknowledges the critical importance of preventing the spread of emerging and existing infectious disease threats globally,” Kasaija said.
“We recognize the United States Government’s commitment to support Uganda with up to $1.7 billion over the period 2026–2030, and we commit to gradually increasing our own budgetary contribution to more than $500 million,” he added.
Kasaija emphasized that the collaboration would go beyond disease-specific outcomes to strengthen national systems, institutions, and workforce capacity.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, described the MOU as a transformative partnership valued at approximately $2.3 billion in combined budgetary and off-budget support.
“Today is not just about signing a document. It is about sealing a transformative five-year partnership between the Republic of Uganda and the United States of America,” Dr. Aceng said.
“Together, these resources will build a resilient, responsive, and sustainable health system owned and led by Uganda.”
Dr. Aceng highlighted that the agreement would support recruitment and retention of health workers, upgrade laboratories and health facilities, strengthen supply chains, and enhance disease surveillance and emergency response.
She also underscored Uganda’s role in global health security, noting that recent responses to COVID-19, Ebola, Marburg, and Sudan virus outbreaks demonstrate the importance of strong national systems.
“Pathogens respect no borders. Uganda has repeatedly served as the global first line of defense,” she said.
The MOU includes several forward-looking provisions, such as the gradual transition of commodity procurement to the Government of Uganda, integration of U.S.-funded frontline health workers into the national payroll, major investments in data systems and electronic medical records, and enhanced support to faith-based health providers.
Mr. Brad Smith, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, said the agreement marks a new chapter in health sector cooperation.
“This is a new day for how we partner in the health sector; moving away from parallel delivery systems to a unified, government-led plan that supports Uganda’s strong vision for its health system,” Smith said.
The United States remains Uganda’s largest global health partner, building on more than 60 years of cooperation in the health sector. Both governments said the MOU underscores a shared commitment to safeguarding health gains and protecting citizens of both countries through sustainable, nationally owned health systems.
