Kampala, Uganda — Uganda and the United States have launched a new Joint Health Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of a five-year health partnership valued at $2.3 billion aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis while strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system.
The committee held its inaugural meeting on Friday, bringing together representatives from the Government of Uganda and the United States government following the signing of a Health Memorandum of Understanding in December 2025.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, said the Joint Health Steering Committee will supervise the execution of the implementation plan under the agreement once it receives formal endorsement.
According to officials, the partnership will channel approximately $410 million into Uganda’s health sector during the first year alone, with the total investment expected to reach $2.3 billion over the next five years.
The initiative is intended to strengthen cooperation between Uganda and the United States in addressing major public health challenges and improving healthcare resilience nationwide.
In a statement published by the U.S. Embassy Uganda, the two governments described the launch of the committee as a “historic milestone” in bilateral health cooperation.
The committee will be co-chaired by the U.S. Embassy in Uganda together with Minister Aceng.
“The U.S. and Uganda launched the Joint Health Steering Committee to oversee our five-year, $2.3 billion health collaboration,” the embassy stated.
Officials said the partnership will focus on sustaining gains made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, which remain among Uganda’s leading public health burdens.
Health experts believe the funding could significantly improve disease prevention programmes, treatment access, laboratory systems, health worker training and emergency response capacity across the country.
The agreement comes as Uganda continues efforts to strengthen its healthcare system following lessons learned from recent disease outbreaks and global health emergencies.
Both governments said the partnership aligns with the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy while also supporting Uganda’s broader national health development agenda.
Uganda has for years benefited from U.S.-supported health programmes, especially in HIV/AIDS response, maternal health, immunisation and infectious disease control.
Officials added that the new framework is expected to provide a more structured system for accountability, coordination and long-term planning between the two countries in the health sector.
