Uganda and the United States have sealed a five-year, $1.7 billion (Shs6 trillion) health partnership agreement.
Government officials say the deal, that will see the controversial data sharing agenda, marks a shift from traditional donor aid to a sovereign-guided cooperation model aimed at strengthening health systems, boosting workforce capacity, and improving emergency readiness nationwide.
The agreement, which will run from 2026 to 2031, was announced on Wednesday before members of the diplomatic corps and senior government officials.
Uganda joins neighbours Kenya, who last week became the first nation to sign the deal when President William Ruto em4t US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on the margins of the Rwanda-DR Congo peace summit.
Officials described the deal not simply as a financial package but as a transformative step in Uganda–U.S. engagement, moving from donor-recipient dynamics to what they termed a “strategic, sovereign-driven partnership” aligned with Uganda’s Health Sector Development Plan.
For decades, US assistance has been central to Uganda’s campaigns against HIV/AudsS, malaria, maternal and child mortality, and recurring infectious disease outbreaks.
The new partnership expands on that legacy through two main support streams: predictable budget support targeting human resources and infrastructure, and off-budget financing for essential medicines, medical commodities, and technical expertise.
According to officials, the funding will support the recruitment and retention of more health workers, upgrades to laboratories and health facilities across the country, stronger supply-chain systems, and improved disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.
A key feature of the agreement is a new framework governing the sharing of health and biological data.
The government stressed that national sovereignty over biological resources and health information “remains inviolable,” saying any data-related collaboration must follow Ugandan law, require prior consent, and guarantee fair access to resulting scientific benefits.
The framework is designed to balance national interests with global public-health collaboration, especially given Uganda’s established track record in detecting and managing outbreaks such as Ebola, Marburg, and COVID-19.
Officials said the partnership is expected to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage, reduce the burden of infectious diseases, and strengthen the country’s readiness for future pandemics.
The government expressed appreciation to the United States, describing the package as an exceptional demonstration of partnership and global solidarity.
They pledged transparency and accountability to ensure the resources lead to tangible improvements in health services for citizens.
The deal comes on the back of health funding stress after the Trump administration closes the taps on many health funding to African governments.
The health ministry said earlier this year that the US funding cuts had left it short by more than Shs400 billion for critical services such as HIV/Aids fight.
With the signing now complete, attention will turn to implementation, with ministries expected to move quickly to translate commitments into measurable outcomes across the health sector.