The opposition has sounded the alarm over Uganda’s heavy dependence on foreign funding for its health sector, warning that it jeopardizes the sustainability of the country’s healthcare system.
Shadow Minister of Health Timothy Batuwa revealed that a staggering 82.5% of the Shs1.125 trillion allocated for health development projects in the 2025/26 National Budget will come from external donors.
Presenting the Alternative Ministerial Policy Statement before Parliament, Batuwa emphasized the risks of overreliance on donor funds.
“Only 17.57% of the health development budget is funded by the government. This is unsustainable and leaves our healthcare system vulnerable to shifting donor priorities,” he said.
A Call for Domestic Resource Mobilization
Batuwa urged the government to prioritize domestic resource mobilization and invest in primary healthcare, mental health services, and the health workforce. He proposed innovative solutions, including:
- A health levy on luxury goods: To generate additional funding for healthcare.
- Mobile maternal health clinics: To improve access to maternal care in rural areas.
- Expanded mental health services: Addressing a critical yet often overlooked aspect of healthcare.
Wasteful Spending Under Fire
The opposition also criticized what they termed as wasteful spending in the Presidency’s budget.
Shadow Minister for the Presidency Zaake Francis proposed slashing State House funding from Shs1.05 trillion to Shs399.29 billion.
“We must cut unnecessary expenditures, including the abolition of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), to free up resources for critical sectors like health,” Zaake argued.
Auditor General’s Warning
Batuwa cited the 2023 Auditor General’s Report, which highlighted the risks of overreliance on external financing.
He pointed to Uganda’s struggles to meet HIV/AIDS budget obligations after USAID cut funding as a cautionary tale.
“The government must increase domestic health funding to ensure sustainability and avoid disruptions caused by shifting donor priorities,” Batuwa stressed.
Related: USAID Suspension Opens Doors for Uganda to Seek New Global Partners
The opposition’s alternative budget proposals will be debated alongside the government’s main budget plans in Parliament.
The outcome of these discussions will determine whether Uganda takes steps toward a more self-reliant and resilient healthcare system.
For millions of Ugandans, the stakes are high. A sustainable health budget is not just a financial issue—it’s a matter of life and death.
