Government Targets 2027 Rollout for National Health Insurance Scheme

The Ugandan government has announced plans to roll out the long-awaited National Health Insurance Scheme by 2027, aiming to ease the severe financial burden of medical treatment on households across the country.

Speaking at the 32nd Annual Health Sub-Programme Joint Review Mission in Munyonyo, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine emphasized that implementing the scheme is vital for sustainable health financing. The initiative has faced decades of delays since discussions began in the 1990s, though a previous bill passed by Parliament in 2021 was never assented to by the president.

Recent statistics highlight the urgent need for expanded coverage. According to the National Population and Housing Census 2024 report, only 1.1 percent of Ugandans possess health insurance, with rates at 1.6 percent in urban areas and a mere 0.7 percent in rural regions. Officials stress that the scheme will help address a mounting disease burden, which includes persistent challenges like malaria alongside a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

During the same conference, health officials released the Health Sector Performance Report for the 2025/26 financial year. The report pointed to positive developments, including declining malaria and HIV incidences, improved tuberculosis treatment success rates, and a drop in institutional maternal mortality ratios. National sanitation coverage also saw an increase, jumping from 79.5 percent to 92 percent.

Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi underscored the importance of shifting focus toward preventative healthcare, noting that up to 75 percent of Uganda’s disease burden is preventable. He also urged anti-corruption agencies to exercise professionalism and respect the dignity of medical personnel when executing investigations.

Read more details on the Daily Monitor.