Uganda launches $1.7 billion malaria elimination plan

Uganda has inaugurated the Malaria Free Uganda (MFU) board to spearhead a five-year, $1.7 billion national malaria elimination plan. Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi tasked the board with mobilizing domestic resources to reduce the country's reliance on external donors. The government aims to increase its share of malaria financing from 28 percent to 50 percent by 2030.

According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2025, Uganda is among five countries that collectively account for more than half of the world’s malaria cases. The disease continues to impact the nation through illness, deaths, and economic costs such as lost working hours and school absenteeism.

The MFU board, chaired by Kenneth Mugisha, includes various leaders from the private and public sectors, including representatives from the Treasury, Centenary Group, Ecobank Uganda, and the Uganda National Oil Company. Benard Feni, founder of the Mungufeni Foundation and CEO of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd, has also been appointed to the board to strengthen private-sector participation.