The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), has launched preparations for the second Uganda National Conference on Health, Human Rights and Development (UCHD 2025). The three-day event, set for September 3–5, 2025, at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, will bring together more than 350 delegates from government, civil society, academia, the private sector, youth groups, and international partners to address persistent health inequities.
With the theme “The Right to Health: Bridging Gaps Across Other Sectors to Achieve Equitable Health for All”, the conference will spotlight the role of education, housing, water, sanitation, environment, and finance in determining health outcomes. “Health is not created by the health sector alone,” said Dr. Olaro Charles, Director General of Health Services, urging a united push for Universal Health Coverage in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040.
The forum will review progress in advancing the right to health, showcase multi-sectoral approaches, and identify priority interventions to tackle health inequalities. CEHURD Executive Director Fatia Kiyange stressed the need for ministries to recognise how their work directly impacts national health, while Food Rights Alliance head Agnes Kirabo highlighted the public health risks posed by unsafe food systems.
From a governance perspective, Onesmus Kansiime of the Office of the Prime Minister underscored the value of data-driven decision-making, citing the Health Management Information System (HMIS) as a key tool for engineering solutions.
Expected outcomes include policy reforms, stronger multi-sectoral action, and resource mobilisation to improve health and wellbeing for all Ugandans, ensuring no one is left behind.