The governments of Uganda and the United States have signed a new Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) that will guide health-sector cooperation between the two countries from 2026 to 2030.

The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), with Uganda’s Finance Minister Henry Musasizi signing on behalf of the Ugandan government. The United States was represented by its Chargé d’Affaires in Uganda, Mikael Cleverley.

The five-year agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 10, 2025, under which the US government committed approximately $1.7 billion (about Shs6.42 trillion) to support Uganda’s efforts to prevent, detect and respond to both existing and emerging infectious disease threats.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Musasizi described the agreement as an important step in the longstanding health partnership between Uganda and the United States.

He highlighted the US contribution to Uganda’s response to major health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as disease surveillance, outbreak management and the supply of essential health commodities.

According to Musasizi, these areas of cooperation have contributed to saving lives and improving Uganda’s capacity to deal with public-health emergencies.

A major change under the new arrangement is the plan for the US support to be channelled directly through the Government of Uganda.

Musasizi said the approach supports Uganda’s goal of increasing national ownership of development programmes, ensuring external assistance is aligned with national priorities and improving the sustainability of development interventions.

While welcoming the new financing arrangement, Musasizi acknowledged that external support alone cannot guarantee sustainable improvements in the health sector.

He said the Ugandan government recognises the need to increase domestic financing for health and committed to progressively raise funding for the interventions covered by the agreement during the five-year period.

The cooperation will also extend beyond individual diseases. It is expected to support stronger health institutions and systems, workforce development, accountability, and Uganda’s ability to plan, finance and provide quality health services.

Cleverley said the agreement represents more than a financing mechanism, describing it as a demonstration of US goodwill and confidence in Uganda’s government and health sector.

He said government-to-government financing is intended to give Uganda greater leadership in managing public-health programmes and strengthening its national health response.

Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi also welcomed the transition from predominantly off-budget assistance to government-to-government financing.

Under the new approach, MoFPED will direct the resources to the health sector.

Baryomunsi said Uganda continues to face a substantial burden from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, making continued investment and support important.

The Health Minister pointed to improvements recorded in Uganda’s health indicators over the years.

He cited a reduction in HIV prevalence from 18.5% in the late 1980s and early 1990s to 5.9%, alongside an increase in life expectancy from approximately 43 years to 68 years.

The new SOAG will therefore serve as a framework for cooperation between Uganda and the US through 2030, with a broader emphasis on strengthening Uganda’s capacity to finance, manage and deliver health services while addressing major public-health threats.