Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, held a meeting with the World Bank’s Senior Management Team at their headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Monday’s discussion was centered on reinforcing the ongoing collaboration between the Government of Uganda and the World Bank Group (WBG). Dr. Aceng was accompanied by Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services, and Dr. Henry Kyobe, Incident Commander.
The World Bank team was led by Mr. Amit Dar, Director of Strategy and Operations for Eastern and Southern Africa. The engagement focused on the significant support the World Bank has extended to Uganda’s health sector through grants and loans. These financial aids have been instrumental in health systems strengthening programs, enhancing maternal and child health, and bolstering emergency response initiatives.
One notable project discussed was the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP), initially designed as a COVID-19 response measure and currently undergoing restructuring to better serve the evolving health needs of the country.
The meeting included addressing concerns related to Uganda’s recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Act, which led the World Bank to freeze new loans to Uganda last year. The World Bank had stated, “Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.”
Dr. Aceng emphasized the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring equitable access to health services for all individuals in Uganda, regardless of their background. “I reassured the bank of our commitment as the Ministry to ensure no discrimination of any person in accessing the health services in Uganda,” Dr. Aceng stated.
In her address, Dr. Aceng expressed gratitude to the World Bank team for their steadfast support and urged them to engage key decision-makers to reconsider their stance on further backing Health Systems Strengthening in Uganda. “I thank the team for their commitment to engage the relevant key decision-makers to reconsider their decision on supporting Health Systems Strengthening in Uganda,” she added.
