Management Sciences for Health Partners with the Government of Uganda and USAID to Strengthen Ugandan Health System

Arlington, VA—January 7, 2025— Management Sciences for Health (MSH) announced today the launch of a new partnership with USAID and the Government of Uganda to increase the availability and efficiency of the country’s health services to meet the population’s health needs. The partnership will strengthen health financing and public financial management, increase the involvement of the private sector, enhance the health workforce, and integrate data systems. The project is known as Strengthening Local Health Systems (SLHS).   

A gender-balanced project leadership team of all-Ugandan key personnel will implement the project, capitalizing on MSH’s capacity and relationships with the Ministry of Health in Kampala and regional referral hospitals. Dr. Vincent Oketcho, a well-known expert in Uganda’s health system, will lead the team as Chief of Party. 

“We look forward to working with our Ugandan partners to achieve their health goals,” said Jacob Hughes, MSH Senior Director for Health Systems Strengthening. “Their plans for a strengthened health workforce and better health information system will lead to data-informed decisions and actions, more effective use of resources, and improved health outcomes for the Ugandan people.” 

In its Vision 2040 and National Development Plan III, the Government of Uganda envisions its continued transformation into a prosperous country with quality health services and universal health coverage. Investments over decades, including from the Government of Uganda, USAID, and other partners, have advanced that vision, and Uganda has realized key gains in health outcomes. This activity will build on those gains and increase public spending on health, efficient use of resources, and human resources for health, ultimately expanding access to health services for those who need it most.  

MSH’s locally driven approach will support the Ministry of Health and other Ugandan stakeholders to lead the way on establishing priorities and determining which interventions will work best in their context. MSH’s partners include Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment, a Ugandan think tank that will lead policy research and advocacy work; Uganda Healthcare Federation, which will use its knowledge of private health care providers to support innovative health financing; Health Information Systems Program Uganda, which will take the lead on co-creating health information systems solutions with the Ministry of Health; and URC, which will lead community health activities.  

MSH is a recognized leader with more than 50 years of experience helping low- and middle-income countries develop strong leadership, management, and governance practices, leading to stronger systems that are better able to design and scale local innovations, deliver responsive quality care, meet ambitious health goals, and sustain health systems improvements.