Kampala, Uganda – Winnie Byanyima, wife of former presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye, has slammed the Ugandan government for neglecting a healthy budget allocation amidst a critical healthcare crisis.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Her criticism comes after the U.S. government froze aid to Uganda, triggering a chain reaction of mass layoffs of frontline health workers, canceled NGO contracts, and disruptions in vital health programs, including HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services.
Byanyima expressed her dismay, stating that instead of seeking a budget reallocation to support the healthcare sector, the ruling NRM government is expecting low-paid workers to work without compensation.
This move has raised concerns about the government’s priorities and commitment to providing quality healthcare services to its citizens.
Uganda’s healthcare sector has been facing significant challenges, with a 12% reduction in resources allocated to the health sector in the national budget framework paper for FY 2023/24.
The country has also failed to meet the Abuja Declaration’s commitment to allocate 15% of its national budget to the health sector.
The government’s decision to allocate only 4.1% of the total budget to the health sector in the 2024-25 national budget has been widely criticized.
The Ministry of Health received the largest share of this budget, amounting to Ushs 1.4 trillion, which is still considered inadequate to address the country’s healthcare needs.
Byanyima’s criticism highlights the need for the government to reassess its priorities and allocate sufficient resources to support the healthcare sector.
The current situation has left many Ugandans vulnerable to health risks, and it is essential for the government to take immediate action to address these concerns.
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