Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have expressed disappointment with the recently approved national budget for the Financial Year 2025/26, citing insufficient allocations to the health sector despite a modest increase.

Dr. Henry Magala, Country Director of AHF Uganda Cares, noted that although the health sector allocation increased by 8% to Shs5.87 trillion, it still falls significantly below the 15% commitment outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

He further raised concern over the Shs80 billion budget cut for preventive health services including HIV treatment, malaria prevention, and immunization programs attributing the shortfall to dwindling donor support.

Pascal Muhangi, an economist at the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), urged the government to adequately fund the National Medical Stores (NMS).

He warned that without proper financing, the country risks continued wastage of essential medicines like ARV and vaccines, which have been lost in previous years due to expiry, storage and distribution failures.

Stuart Ssebibubbu, the Researcher at Atya na Hati urges Finance Ministry to identify resources and prioritize health system gaps and ensure delivery of the outlined financing commitments from the financing dialogue are implemented.

The Parliamentary Health Committee has also flagged the health sector’s budget as inadequate, warning that the shortfall may significantly undermine service delivery across the country.

The CSOs have called on the government to urgently revise its priorities and uphold its commitments to public health, warning that underfunding could derail gains made in disease prevention and universal healthcare access.

By Ben Musanje

24th June 2025

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