Government Launches $5 Million Eye Care Drive to Reach Five Million Ugandans by 2031

The Ugandan government has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand eye-health services to more than five million citizens by the year 2031. Backed by a $5 million investment, the initiative aims to tackle avoidable blindness and improve access to essential treatments across the country.

The commitment was announced at the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health. Peter Holland, chief executive officer of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), noted that the investment is expected to generate significant economic returns. Value of Vision analyses suggest that targeted spending could yield up to $48.2 million in economic benefits, largely driven by productivity gains and improved livelihoods for workers, farmers, and students.

Uganda’s strategy centers on three main targets. First, the country aims to integrate essential eye-care services into 72 percent of general hospitals and Health Centre IV facilities. Second, the national cataract surgical rate is projected to jump from 250 to 800 operations per million people annually. Third, effective refractive error coverage is set to increase by 40 percent through sustainable systems providing affordable prescription glasses.

To ensure marginalized groups are not left behind, the program will emphasize school and community-based screenings, focusing on children, women, older individuals, people with disabilities, refugees, and remote populations. Tele-ophthalmology will also be utilized to bridge the gap in specialist care.

Complementing the government’s efforts, VisionSpring Uganda is partnering with local organizations to distribute affordable eyeglasses. Julius Mujuni, VisionSpring’s country lead, emphasized that glasses are essential tools for economic independence, with the organization aiming to correct the vision of 750,000 more Ugandans by 2030.

Read more about this initiative at The Observer.