Uganda faces $491 million funding gap for essential medicines

Uganda is facing a significant deficit in funding for essential medicines and health supplies (EMHS). Minister of Health Dr. Chris Baryomunsi informed Parliament that the annual requirement for these supplies has risen to $1.06 billion (Shs4.289 trillion) due to population growth and disease burden. However, current commitments of $515 million (Shs2.084 trillion) cover only 48.8% of this need, leaving a gap of $491 million (Shs1.987 trillion).

Dr. Baryomunsi noted that development partners currently provide 64.3% of available funding, while the Ugandan government contributes 35.7%. The Minister highlighted that a decline in external donor financing, specifically following a United States government stop-work order, has disrupted the supply of HIV/AIDS commodities, immunizations, and laboratory reagents. This disruption led to a sharp decline in commodity availability and reporting performance starting in January 2025.

During parliamentary debates, opposition members criticized the government's budget allocation, noting that it remains at 7% despite the Abuja Declaration's recommendation of 15%. Legislators also raised concerns regarding the delay in operationalizing a National Health Insurance Scheme, which forces citizens to pay between 29% and 32% of health costs out-of-pocket.