Residents of Kamwokya have joined other communities across Uganda in raising concerns about a controversial health agreement linked to the European Union, warning that it could negatively affect access to affordable medicines and health technologies.
The concerns follow earlier warnings from civil society organizations that the agreement could potentially widen health inequalities rather than improve access to treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations.
In Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, residents staged a peaceful protest, taking to the streets to argue that the proposed agreement could place unfair restrictions on access to essential medicines, especially for low-income communities.
Many residents said they fear the agreement could limit the sharing of medical technologies used to produce life-saving treatments, making healthcare more expensive and inaccessible for marginalized groups.
“We are here to resist the agreement because it threatens our ability to access treatment,” said Joseph Jjuko.
“The technologies used to produce medicines should be shared so that everyone can benefit. As a marginalized community, any health challenge affects us more because we cannot afford expensive medical care.”
The protest follows concerns earlier raised by Uganda Cares, which warned that international agreements affecting the production and distribution of medicines could create serious risks for vulnerable populations that rely on affordable treatment.
Health advocates say communities living in informal settlements already face significant barriers to healthcare, making access to low-cost medicines even more critical.
Kamwokya is one of Kampala’s densely populated informal settlements, with an estimated population of more than 50,000 residents.
The area faces numerous public health challenges linked to poverty, overcrowding and limited access to medical services.
Residents argue that any international policy that could raise the cost of medicines would disproportionately affect communities like theirs, where many households already struggle to afford healthcare.
Community leaders from neighbouring areas also voiced similar concerns. Ssebatta Kabugie said local communities must be involved in decisions that affect their access to health services.
“Our communities have a right to healthcare,” Kabugie said. “Any agreement that limits access to treatment or life-saving medicines is a serious danger to our people.”
Residents are now urging the Ugandan government and international partners to carefully review the agreement and ensure that it does not undermine access to affordable medicines.
Community members warn that if the concerns raised are not addressed, the impact will fall most heavily on poor and marginalized populations who already face significant health challenges.