SHU Project Strengthens Community Health Financing and Advances Uganda’s Universal Health Coverage Agenda
Save for Health Uganda (SHU) has successfully implemented the “Enabling Vulnerable Families to Equitably Access Quality Healthcare Services (Continued)” project with support from Bread for the World (BftW) from 2024 to end in December 2026 across 12 districts in Uganda. The end-of-project evaluation that was conducted between May and June 2026 confirms that the initiative made a significant contribution to expanding equitable access to quality healthcare while strengthening Community Health Insurance (CHI) systems and advancing Uganda’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The project improved healthcare access and financial protection for vulnerable households through five Community Health Insurance schemes, which financed 3,961 healthcare cases and paid over UGX 222 million in medical bills. Client satisfaction with healthcare services increased from 94% in 2024 to 96%, while healthcare provider satisfaction with in CHI schemes increased from 80% in 2024 to 90%, driven by stronger partnerships, timely claims payments, improved client support, and greater awareness of health insurance benefits.
Beyond service delivery, the project delivered lasting systems-level impact. SHU successfully developed and rolled out a customized digital CHI Information Management System across five insurance schemes and 33 healthcare facilities, improving beneficiary management, claims processing, accountability, and operational efficiency. The initiative also accelerated digital transformation, with CHI schemes adopting online banking systems to enhance financial management.
The project further strengthened Uganda’s health financing landscape through strategic policy engagement. SHU led the development and submission of the country’s first draft Community-Based Health Financing (CBHF) Guidelines to the Ministry of Health, providing a foundation for future policy and regulatory reforms. Parliamentary support for Community Health Insurance also grew substantially, reflecting increasing national recognition of community-based financing as a key pillar of sustainable health systems.
The evaluation found that many of the project’s innovations including Client Relations Desks, digital management systems, partnerships with financial institutions, and SHU’s Third-Party Managed CHI model are well positioned for sustainability and future scale-up beyond donor support.
These achievements reinforce SHU’s position as a national leader in Community Health Insurance, health financing policy, and systems strengthening. As Uganda continues to pursue Universal Health Coverage, SHU remains committed to working with government, development partners, and communities to expand sustainable health financing solutions that reduce financial barriers to healthcare and ensure that no one is left behind.
