The Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has released the Uganda National Household Survey 2023/2024, revealing a rise in illness among the population alongside shifting patterns in how Ugandans seek medical care.
According to the findings, 21.2 percent of the population reported being sick at the time of the 2024 survey—an increase from 19.4 percent in the 2019/2020 cycle.
Despite the national uptick in reported illness, rural populations appeared to fare slightly better in health outcomes compared to urban areas.
Of those who fell ill, only 84 percent sought medical attention. Among them, 54 percent turned to private health facilities, while just 27 percent used government hospitals and health centres.
The findings reflect a continued loss of confidence in Uganda’s public healthcare system, which has long grappled with underfunding, frequent drug stockouts, understaffing, and long waiting times.
Health experts say many public facilities are often perceived as unreliable. In some areas, patients queue for hours only to find no available doctors or medicine.
Some have reported being asked to pay for supposedly free services or being referred to private pharmacies due to lack of supplies in public hospitals.
Among the 16 percent who did not seek any medical care, 46 percent said their illness was mild and did not warrant a visit to the clinic.
However, 10 percent pointed to lack of money as the reason they stayed away, highlighting the continuing burden of out-of-pocket health expenditures even in a country with ostensibly free public services.
Another 6 percent opted for herbs or traditional remedies, a reflection of both cultural practices and limited access to formal healthcare in some regions.
UBOS Executive Director Chris Mukiza said the health-related findings in the report are critical for informing Uganda’s National Development Plan, and called for data-driven reforms in the health sector.
“This survey gives us a clear picture of where we are falling short and where we need to prioritise resources,” he said.
Mukiza added that while the increase in reported illness could indicate improved health awareness and reporting, the unequal access to care remains a challenge that threatens national health goals.