The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has urged Ugandans to adopt insurance as a necessity in daily life, warning that low awareness and persistent mistrust are limiting uptake despite rising risks across the country.
Her message was delivered by Mbale Industrial Division MP Karim Masaba during the Secondary Schools Insurance Debating Contest held at Mbale Secondary School.
Among noted that Ugandans continue to face increasing exposure to risks such as climate change shocks, health emergencies, and economic uncertainties, yet insurance penetration remains critically low at 0.85 percent.
“Insurance is not a luxury, it is a necessity… a vital tool for protecting livelihoods,” Masaba said on her behalf.
The event, organised by the Uganda Insurance Training Institute, brought together more than 30 secondary schools from Eastern Uganda, with St. Peter’s College Tororo emerging as the overall winner.
Organisers said the initiative is aimed at exposing young people early to insurance concepts, with the goal of reshaping perceptions and encouraging future participation in the sector.
“We want young people to understand insurance and also see opportunities within the sector,” said Saul Sseremba, Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Training Institute.
Stakeholders at the event identified public mistrust as a major barrier to uptake, with many Ugandans believing that insurance companies do not honour claims.
However, industry data indicates that insurers paid out more than 900 billion shillings in claims last year, which officials say demonstrates improved reliability and performance within the sector.
Masaba also emphasised the role of insurance in reducing financial pressure during emergencies, particularly in healthcare and accident-related costs.
“In case of emergencies, insurance helps people access treatment without immediate financial strain,” he said.
The debating contest also provided students with a platform to discuss real-life risks, including medical emergencies and climate-related disasters, while building awareness of financial protection tools.
Stakeholders say that with Uganda lagging behind regional peers in insurance uptake, sustained public education—especially among young people—will be key to improving penetration and changing long-standing perceptions.