MENGO, Kampala: The Prime Minister of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has emphasized the importance of partnerships that prioritize health as a cornerstone of development, as the Kingdom officially launched a new community health insurance initiative aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare.
Speaking at the launch of the Tubeere Balamu Yinsuwa scheme at Bulange, Mengo, Mayiga noted that the Kingdom values collaboration with organizations that recognize the central role health plays in driving growth and societal well-being. The initiative, spearheaded by Kabaka Foundation in partnership with Jubilee Life Insurance Uganda Ltd and other stakeholders, is designed to provide practical and affordable health coverage to ordinary Ugandans.
Mayiga used the occasion to call on insurance players to intensify public education efforts, saying many Ugandans still lack a clear understanding of how insurance works and why it is essential, particularly during times of crisis. He urged citizens to embrace insurance as a proactive step toward securing better healthcare and protecting household incomes from unexpected medical costs.
The Katikiro commended partners including I&M Bank Uganda and Diamond Trust Bank Uganda for supporting the Kingdom’s health agenda, noting that the scheme aligns with Buganda’s ongoing efforts to promote community well-being and strengthen healthcare access.
During the same event, the Acting CEO of Jubilee Life Insurance Uganda, Eugine Mutekhele, described the new scheme as a shift from temporary health interventions to sustainable protection. He highlighted that despite Uganda’s population of about 45 million people, only around 505,000 currently have any form of health insurance, underscoring a significant gap in coverage.
Mutekhele revealed that many households spend more than 40 percent of their income on medical expenses, often forcing families to sell assets or take on costly loans. He attributed the low uptake of insurance to limited awareness, noting that only about 11 percent of Ugandans understand how insurance works, with coverage largely concentrated among higher-income earners.
He explained that Tubeere Balamu Yinsuwa is tailored for everyday citizens, offering affordable coverage at an annual fee of UGX 198,000. The scheme provides access to treatment for common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid, supports hospital stays, and offers financial protection in cases of disability, serious illness, or death.
Mutekhele also pointed to the broader economic impact of health challenges, citing malaria as a major burden in Uganda, contributing significantly to hospital admissions and deaths, especially among children under five. He noted that improving access to healthcare through insurance could reduce financial strain on families and contribute positively to the national economy.
The initiative aims to enroll over 100,000 members across Buganda, leveraging the Kingdom’s local leadership structures to build trust and drive community participation. Leaders at various levels have been called upon to champion the program and encourage households to view insurance not as a luxury, but as a necessity.
