Belgium’s Support Boosts Health Sector Coordination in Uganda

Kampala: The World Health Organisation (WHO) Uganda, with financial support from the Embassy of Belgium in Uganda, has significantly strengthened partner coordination, policy dialogue, and collective action across Uganda's health sector throughout 2025. Belgium's contribution enabled the WHO to convene and mobilise a wide range of health partners around national priorities, reinforcing coherence and alignment in the sector.

As the permanent Co-chair and Secretariat of the Health Development Partners (HDP) Group, WHO sustained effective coordination by organising monthly HDP meetings and the annual HDP retreat. These platforms played a vital role in strengthening information sharing, harmonising partner efforts, reducing duplication, and enhancing accountability. They also ensured that partners, including Enabel, Belgium's development agency, actively contributed to strategic discussions shaping national health priorities.

Belgium's support to Uganda's health sector, delivered through Enabel and partners, has been pivotal in strengthening health systems, particularly in sexual, reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health, while building nursing capacity to improve access to quality essential services for vulnerable and underserved communities.

"Belgium is proud to support WHO in convening partners and facilitating coordination and policy dialogue," said His Excellency Hugues Chantry, Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda and South Sudan. "Through our partnership with WHO, we are contributing to stronger national systems and more effective, evidence-informed decision-making," he added.

Beyond partner coordination, WHO also strengthened evidence-informed policy dialogue and inclusive decision-making processes. The organisation facilitated national consultations that engaged a broad mix of stakeholders-government institutions, development partners, civil society, academia, and community representatives. These inclusive engagements improved alignment among partners and across government levels, helping reduce fragmentation and supporting collective prioritisation amid constrained financing.

Through its technical stewardship, WHO supported national decision-makers to translate emerging evidence into advocacy and actionable policy directions. This guidance was especially important for addressing urgent health system challenges, including quality of care, patient safety, workforce planning, and sustainable health financing, critical drivers of efficiency and overall system performance.

"WHO's convening role helps partners to work in a coordinated and complementary manner aligned with national priorities," said Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda, adding that "Belgium's support has enabled us to sustain inclusive platforms that promote alignment, efficiency, and equity across the health sector."

With the support of the Embassy of Belgium in Uganda, these coordination and convening efforts have strengthened evidence-based policymaking and enhanced coherence across Uganda's health sector. WHO expresses deep appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its leadership in global health and its continued collaboration to advance equitable access to health care for all Ugandans, particularly the most vulnerable.