Vincent Bagiire

UGANDA AND THE UNITED STATES SIGN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AGREEMENT(SOAG) The Government of Uganda and the Government of the United States of America today signed a Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG), setting the framework for cooperation in Uganda’s health sector for the period 2026 to 2030. Finance Minister @henrymusasizi1 signed on behalf of Uganda while the Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy, Mikael Cleverley signed on behalf of the US Government. This agreement puts action to the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 10th December 2025 where the United States Government committed to provide support amounting to approximately USD 1.7 billion (about Shs 6.42 trillion) for prevention,detection and response to both emerging and existing infectious disease threats. Speaking at the signing ceremony at @mofpedU, Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi described the agreement as “another significant milestone” in the longstanding partnership between Uganda and the United States. He said Uganda deeply values the US contribution to the health sector over the years, particularly in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, management of disease outbreaks, public-health surveillance and strengthening health commodity supply chains. “These interventions have saved lives, strengthened communities and enhanced Uganda’s capacity to respond to public-health emergencies,” Musasizi said. A significant feature of the new arrangement is the intention by the US Government to channel the support directly to the Government of Uganda. Musasizi welcomed the shift, saying it is consistent with Uganda’s objective of “strengthening country ownership, aligning external assistance with national priorities, and improving the effectiveness and sustainability of development cooperation.” He stressed, however, that sustainable health outcomes require Uganda to strengthen its own financing of the sector. “The Government of Uganda acknowledges that sustainable health outcomes require increased domestic financing,” he said, reaffirming Government’s commitment to progressively increase funding for the agreed interventions over the five-year period. The partnership will go beyond disease-specific interventions to strengthen national systems and institutions, improve workforce capacity, reinforce accountability and enhance Uganda’s ability to plan, finance and deliver quality health services. The Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Mikael Cleverley said the agreement represents more than a mechanism for partnership, adding that it’s a demonstration of US goodwill and confidence in the Government of Uganda leadership and the health sector. He said the new approach seeks to empower Uganda to take greater leadership in public health through government-to-government financing. Health Minister, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi welcomed the change from predominantly off-budget assistance towards government-to-government financing where @mofpedU will direct resources to the health sector. He said Uganda continues to face a significant burden of both communicable & non-communicable diseases, acknowledging the need for more support. Baryomunsi cited progress registered in the health sector such as decline in HIV prevalence from 18.5% in the late 1980s and early 1990s to 5.9% and the increase in life expectancy from about 43 years to 68 years among other indicators.