The document explains abstinence as the deliberate avoidance of sexual intercourse as an effective method for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. It highlights that abstinence is suitable for both boys and girls and promotes multiple benefits such as emotional well-being, self-respect, focus on education, and protection from social and health risks. The document also outlines practical strategies to support abstinence, including resisting peer pressure, avoiding risky situations, and engaging in positive activities. Overall, it encourages young people to prioritize their health, future goals, and personal values by choosing abstinence.
The document highlights alcohol and substance abuse as harmful behaviors that negatively affect physical, mental, and social well-being, especially among adolescents. It outlines causes such as peer pressure and emotional challenges, and emphasizes prevention through community action, legal enforcement, healthy activities, and seeking guidance. It encourages young people to avoid substance use and adopt healthy lifestyles.
The Uganda National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidelines, 2nd Edition, provide national standards for preventing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient and health worker safety. The guidelines outline core IPC components, surveillance, and quality improvement strategies aligned with WHO recommendations to strengthen routine and outbreak response practices across all healthcare levels
The Uganda Guidelines for Prevention, Testing, Care and Treatment of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection provide national standards for prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of viral hepatitis. They guide healthcare providers on evidence-based management to reduce hepatitis-related illness and deaths through improved access, service integration, and quality care.
The National Annual Obstetric Fistula & Other Birth Injuries Status Report FY 2022/23 summarizes Uganda’s progress in prevention, surgical repair, and reintegration of fistula patients. It presents service delivery performance, partner contributions, and system gaps affecting access to timely care.
The report highlights the need for improved case identification, community awareness, data reporting, and strengthened coordination to accelerate elimination efforts.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) Program (2025–2030) outlines the framework for tracking progress toward Uganda’s VL elimination targets. It defines key indicators, reporting systems, and evaluation processes aligned with HMIS/DHIS2 to support evidence-based decision-making. The plan strengthens routine data collection, quality assurance, supervision, and feedback mechanisms to ensure accurate, timely data and continuous program improvement
The National Strategic Plan for Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) Elimination in Uganda (2025–2030) provides a roadmap to eliminate VL as a public health problem, particularly in the Karamoja region, where the disease remains endemic. The plan targets reducing incidence to below 1 case per 10,000 population at risk, lowering case fatality to under 1%, and strengthening diagnosis, treatment, vector control, surveillance, and research. Implementation requires UGX 19.29 billion, with a significant funding gap that calls for increased resource mobilization and partnerships.
In 1987, the Health Policy Review Commission, chaired by Professor Raphael Owor, was appointed to evaluate and reform Uganda’s health system in line with the “Health for All by the Year 2000” strategy through Primary Health Care (PHC). The commission reviewed governance, financing, human resources, service delivery, and the role of private and traditional medicine. Using public and private hearings, document analysis, and expert consultations, it identified key gaps and challenges. Recommendations focused on hospital management reforms, strengthening maternal and child health, immunization, nutrition, and establishing a national drug policy. The report, submitted on September 30, 1987, provided a blueprint for comprehensive health sector reforms in Uganda.
Antimicrobial resistance in Uganda is increasing due to inappropriate antimicrobial use and weak integration of surveillance across sectors. The 2024 One Health AMR Surveillance Report provides the first consolidated national picture of AMR, antimicrobial use, and consumption in human, animal, and environmental sectors. Evidence shows high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, excessive reliance on “Watch” category medicines, and antimicrobial consumption levels exceeding international benchmarks. The report calls for urgent strengthening of laboratory capacity, antimicrobial stewardship, regulatory enforcement, and expansion of One Health surveillance to curb the growing AMR threat.
Limited visibility of medicines and health commodities contributes to stock-outs, wastage, and the circulation of substandard and counterfeit products in Uganda. The National Health Products Traceability Strategy outlines priority actions to establish an integrated, digital traceability system across the health supply chain. By introducing unique product identification, interoperable information systems, and coordinated stakeholder oversight, the strategy strengthens regulatory control, improves supply chain performance, and enhances patient safety. Its implementation is essential for health systems strengthening and progress toward universal health coverage.
Uganda’s family planning and reproductive health markets remain fragmented, with persistent inequities in access and inefficient use of public subsidies. The National Total Market Approach (TMA) Strategy (2024–2025) outlines priority actions to align public, private, and social marketing actors under a coordinated market framework. By strengthening market segmentation, targeting subsidies to the most vulnerable populations, and promoting private sector participation, the strategy aims to expand contraceptive choice, improve sustainability, and enhance service delivery. Effective implementation of the TMA strategy is critical to achieving national reproductive health targets and universal health coverage.
The Costed Uganda Alternative Distribution Implementation Framework (2024/25–2029/30) provides strategic guidance for improving access to family planning and selected RMNCAH commodities through the private sector for public benefit. It addresses supply chain gaps, including stock-outs, coordination challenges, and accountability weaknesses. The framework promotes innovative distribution, sustainable financing, and strengthened last-mile assurance mechanisms. It aligns with NDP III, the MoH Strategic Plan, RHCS Strategy, and the Sustainable Development Goals to support universal health coverage in Uganda.
