Health Ministry Revives Push for National Health Insurance Scheme

What the report says

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has renewed efforts to launch a National Health Insurance Scheme, with government still aiming for a 2027 rollout after years of delay. The issue was highlighted by Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine during the opening of the 32nd Annual Health Sub-Programme Joint Review Mission at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where she said sustainable health financing is central to better access to care and to the country’s broader growth plans.

According to the report, the push comes against a backdrop of very low insurance coverage. The 2024 National Population and Housing Census found that just 1.1% of Ugandans had health insurance, while households continued to pay about 31% of national health expenditure directly out of pocket. The ministry says the proposed scheme would pool contributions from individuals, employers and government so that the cost of healthcare is spread more evenly and families face less financial strain.

The National Health Insurance Scheme Bill was passed by Parliament in 2021 but was not signed by President Yoweri Museveni, who sought further consultation on financing and implementation. Since then, the health and finance ministries have been revisiting the model, including the contribution structure that had previously been proposed. The renewed drive also reflects concerns over declining donor support, heavier disease burdens and the need for more domestic financing.

Atwine also used the forum to urge stronger preventive healthcare, including action on malaria and maternal deaths, and called for a more integrated response involving communities and government sectors.