Uganda and the United States of America have signed a landmark five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Health Cooperation where the later will extend health investments valued at $2.3 billion,
This cements a strategic shift from traditional aid to a sovereign-led partnership designed to strengthen Uganda’s health systems, enhance disease surveillance, and promote long-term sustainability.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by uganda senior government officials led by Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, and the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp.
The Permanent Secretaries from the relevant ministries also appended their signatures to the document page by page as a sign of full commitment to implementation.
Ambassador William W. Popp hailed the MoU as “a very important milestone in the long and productive health relationship between the United States and Uganda.”
He revealed that the agreement outlines a structured and transparent approach to delivering lifesaving services, strengthening systems that safeguard populations in both nations, and ensuring responsible use of American taxpayer dollars.
“Today we have just signed a five-year, $2.3 billion memorandum of understanding for health cooperation. This clear and accountable arrangement outlines how our governments will support lifesaving services, strengthen systems that protect both our countries, and ensure responsible use of American taxpayer dollars.”
The Ambassador highlighted that the MoU aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy, which focuses on making America safer and more prosperous by reducing global health threats and supporting partner countries to build resilient health systems.
He emphasized that while the U.S. has supported Uganda for over six decades—most notably through PEPFAR—the old model of foreign assistance created parallel systems and dependency. The new framework shifts towards self-reliance, national leadership, and integrated health responses.
“Under this MOU, we will be supporting Uganda’s transition to a unified government-led workforce. More than 1,100 community health extension workers have already been trained through U.S. support, and this MOU will continue providing training and equipment as Uganda assumes responsibility for their salaries.”
The U.S. will provide $1.7 billion to support critical programs such as HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, polio eradication, global health security, data systems, and emergency preparedness. Uganda, on its part, will increase domestic health spending by over $500 million over the next five years.
Ambassador Popp said the MoU includes forward-looking measures such as transitioning commodity procurement to Uganda, training 14,000 additional community health workers, improving electronic medical record systems, and strengthening supply chain systems.
“Together, we are taking a historic step towards resilient, efficient, and sustainable health systems that will benefit Uganda, the United States, and the world for generations to come.”
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija welcomed the MoU, saying it adds another significant building block to Uganda’s long-standing health partnership with the U.S.
“Your Excellency, I am pleased to sign this memorandum of understanding whose provisions will facilitate the mode of collaboration in the health sector between our two governments.”
He noted that the U.S. commitment of $1.4 billion for emerging and existing infectious disease threats from 2026–2030 is critical, and Uganda will gradually raise its domestic funding by $500 million over the same period.
“I take note of the need to prevent the spread of emerging and existing infectious disease threats globally, to which the U.S. government commits to support Uganda.”
Kasaija applauded both teams for concluding the negotiations on schedule and encouraged all stakeholders to fully respect and implement the provisions of the MoU.
“Finally, I call upon all stakeholders involved to live up to the provisions of this MOU and make it practical for the benefit of our countries.”
Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng described the MoU as a transformative partnership that elevates Uganda–U.S. cooperation to a new level of sovereignty and mutual respect.
“Today we elevate that relationship from traditional aid to a strategic sovereign-driven partnership that fully aligns with and accelerates Uganda’s own health sector development plan.”
She clarified the financial structure of the MoU, noting that $1.7 billion will come from the U.S. government while $500 million will be contributed by Uganda.
Dr. Aceng emphasized that the partnership includes both budget support—which strengthens Uganda’s ability to plan for the long term—and off-budget support, which ensures supply of critical medicines, commodities, and technical expertise.
A key highlight of her remarks was the emphasis on Uganda’s sovereignty over its biological resources and health data, which she described as “invaluable and non-negotiable.”
“We have left behind outdated, extractive models of the past. All sharing will rest on three non-negotiable principles: mutual benefit, prior sovereign consent, and full transparency.”
She outlined tangible benefits Ugandans should expect: more trained health workers, strong disease surveillance, resilient laboratories, improved supply chains, and progress against diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria.
“Therefore, today marks the beginning of five years of intense, focused, and results-driven collaboration. Let us move immediately from this ceremony to action—from commitment to delivery.”
