The Ugandan government has announced a major shift in the country’s healthcare strategy, moving away from a predominantly curative healthcare system towards preventive care, while also reducing dependence on foreign donor funding in a bid to strengthen national health sovereignty.
The Minister of State for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, revealed the government’s new direction while representing Uganda at the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health currently underway in Accra, Ghana.
The high-level summit has brought together African leaders, policymakers and health experts to discuss strategies aimed at ending AIDS by 2030, reducing preventable maternal deaths, combating communicable and non-communicable diseases, tackling neglected tropical diseases and strengthening health systems across the continent.
The meeting is being held under the theme: “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa.”
Addressing delegates, Lugoloobi said Uganda is deliberately redesigning its health system to prioritize disease prevention rather than treatment, arguing that preventing illnesses is more sustainable and cost-effective than managing diseases after they occur.
He noted that the government is investing in preventive healthcare interventions as part of broader reforms intended to improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on hospitals and other health facilities.
Lugoloobi also announced that Uganda is pursuing a transition from donor-dependent healthcare financing to domestically funded health systems, a move he said is critical for achieving long-term health sovereignty.
According to the minister, increasing domestic financing will enable Uganda to strengthen ownership of its healthcare programmes and reduce vulnerabilities associated with declining international donor support.
He further revealed that the government is planning to introduce an integrated service delivery model that focuses on providing coordinated healthcare services centred around individual patients rather than implementing isolated disease-specific programmes.
The integrated approach, he explained, is expected to improve efficiency, enhance patient experiences and ensure that citizens receive comprehensive healthcare services under one coordinated framework.
Lugoloobi also highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in healthcare delivery, saying collaboration with the private sector will play a critical role in improving access to quality health services across the country.
In addition, he underscored the importance of digital transformation in Uganda’s healthcare sector, noting that the government is accelerating the implementation of digital health systems to improve service delivery, strengthen data management and support evidence-based decision-making.
He said the use of digital technologies and health data will enable policymakers to make informed decisions, improve planning and enhance the efficiency of healthcare interventions nationwide.
The reforms come at a time when many African countries are reassessing their health systems following lessons learned from recent global health emergencies and amid growing concerns over shrinking international health funding.
The African Union summit is expected to adopt resolutions aimed at accelerating progress towards ending AIDS and tuberculosis, reducing maternal mortality, addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and strengthening resilient health systems capable of delivering universal health coverage by 2030.
Uganda’s presentation at the summit signals the country’s intention to align its health sector reforms with continental efforts to build sustainable, equitable and resilient healthcare systems driven by domestic resources, preventive healthcare and digital innovation.
