In response to the devastating collapse of the Kiteezi landfill on 10th August 2024, the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), on 2nd May 2025, officially filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Uganda against the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The collapse, which claimed lives, destroyed homes, and contaminated the environment, was not a natural disaster but a direct consequence of institutional failure. Despite repeated warnings from the Kiteezi community about hazardous waste leakage, water pollution, and the dangers of unchecked garbage accumulation, the responsible authorities failed to take preventive action.
CEHURDโs case seeks accountability for these violations of constitutional rights to life, health, property, and a clean and safe environment. Specifically, we are calling for:
The immediate decommissioning of the Kiteezi landfill
Comprehensive environmental restoration of the affected area
The adoption of sustainable, science-based waste management systems that meet international best practices
This case represents a legal battle in the quest for justice, dignity, and the future of the Kiteezi community, whose cries for help went unheard for decades. CEHURD stands firm with the people of Kiteezi in demanding that no community in Uganda should ever again suffer such neglect.
The 2nd Biennial Uganda National Conference on Health, Human Rights and Development (UCHD) brought together leaders, policy makers, academics, civil society, and young advocates from across the continent under the theme: โThe Right to Health: Bridging Gaps Across Other Sectors to Achieve Equitable Health for All.โ
Convened by CEHURD in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the conference was officially opened by the Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, who also launched CEHURDโs 10-Year Strategic Plan 2025-2034.
A Youth-led Start
UCHD 2025 began with a Youth Town Hall under the theme โPower in Conversation: Youth and Leaders at the Accountability Table.โ Forty-six young delegates from across Uganda engaged directly with duty bearers from the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and other agencies. A Youth Declaration was developed and formally presented, amplifying priorities and commitments from the next generation of leaders.
A Gathering of Minds
Over 250 delegates attended the main conference, representing government ministries, development partners, academia, cultural and religious institutions, the media, civil society organizations, and international participants from Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Ben K. Twinomugisha, who challenged participants to rethink health through a social justice lens.
Celebrating 15 Years of CEHURD
The conference also marked CEHURD at 15, with a Gala Dinner under the theme โSocial Justice in Health: Honouring the Past 15 Years and Shaping the Future.โ UNFPAโs Laura Lafuente was the Chief Guest, and partners were recognized through awards, alongside a documentary showcasing CEHURDโs journey.
Emerging Priorities
Discussions highlighted that equitable health cannot be achieved in isolation – every sector has a role to play. Key priorities included:
Recognizing social determinants of health as central to 80% of outcomes.
Strengthening disability inclusion and integrating health into all policies.
Addressing climate-responsive SRHR solutions for communities and refugees.
Tackling food fraud practices and supporting the Uganda National Nutrition Action Plan.
Embracing the One Health approach: people, plants, animals, and the environment.
Shifting to community mental health models and enhancing male involvement in health advocacy.
Creating sustainable health financing models in light of declining donor support.
Expanding youth platforms for engagement with leaders and policymakers.
Outcomes and the Road Ahead
What emerged from UCHD 2025 was a strong consensus: health equity is inseparable from broader development, governance, and economic justice. The conversations and commitments made at UCHD 2025 set the stage for stronger multisectoral collaboration, more youth-led accountability, and policies that place health at the center of Ugandaโs development agenda.
Together, we birthed the Uganda Declaration on Social Determinants of Health, a shared commitment to advancing health equity in Uganda. The seeds of change were planted, now we carry the work forward into action.
Stepping out of the lecture halls and into the bustling offices of the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) was like flipping a switch. Suddenly, the legal theories I had diligently absorbed in textbooks sprang to life, pulsating with the urgency of real-world human rights struggles. My internship at CEHURD wasnโt just a resume builder; it was a profound journey that reshaped my understanding of social justice and advocacy for health rights in Uganda.
More than just paperwork: The Human Face of Advocacy
Before CEHURD, my idea of legal work was largely confined to the law library and intricate legal arguments. What struck me immediately at CEHURD was the deep human element at the core of their mission. Every case, every policy brief, every community outreach program was driven by tangible needs and rights of individuals.
I remember one particular afternoon, poring over affidavits related to a maternal health case. The statistics on maternal mortality in Uganda are sobering enough, but reading the personal accounts of families who had lost loved ones due to preventable complications-the grief, the frustration, the demand for accountability was truly humbling. It was a powerful reminder that behind every legal document is a life, a story and fight for dignity.
– Malcom Buule
Diving deep: My Role in the fight for Health Rights
My tasks at CEHURD were incredibly diverse, offering me a holistic view of human rights advocacy. My days were not only filled with conducting legal research for a strategic public interest litigation case, and sifting through national and international legal frameworks to build robust arguments, but also with drafting policy briefs aimed at influencing health legislation.
I also had an opportunity to witness firsthand the power of community engagement when I participated in community engagements in Aletbong District in Northern Uganda. I traveled with two colleagues who gave me the chance to experience community visits firsthand. Our objective was to conduct mobile Legal Aid camps, which aimed at providing legal services and sharing important information with the communities. During the visits, I gained a deeper understanding of the real legal challenges people face and offered legal advice where I could. I believe that those who received this information experienced meaningful changes in their lives.
CEHURD understands that legal change isnโt just about court victories; itโs about empowering communities to know and demand their rights. Observing workshops where health rights were demystified for ordinary citizens was incredibly inspiring. It reminded me that true advocacy is a collaborative effort, bridging the gap between legal expertise and lived experiences.
Beyond internship
My internship at CEHURD was far more than a professional experience; it was a transformative one. It solidified my passion for human rights law and equipped me with the practical skills that no text book could ever teach. I learned the importance of resilience, the power of collaboration and the profound impact that dedicated legal professionals can have on society.
Leaving CEHURD, I carry with me not just a deeper understanding of health and human rights but a renewed sense of purpose. It ignited a fire within me to continue contributing to a more just and equitable world, where everyone has the right to health and dignity.
The writer is a lawyer and a member of the Makerere University Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), who was on secondment to CEHURD from the Makerere School of Law.
Ugandaโs healthcare landscape is at a critical juncture. As international funding streams face unprecedented uncertainty, the country must urgently transition from donor dependence to domestic sustainability in medicines and health products. This was the central theme of the National Dialogue on Access to Affordable Medicine & Health Products, held on June 24, 2025, in Kampala.
The dialogue, convened by CEHURD in partnership with KELIN and supported by ITPC Global, brought together key stakeholders to address the mounting challenges posed by recent US policy shifts, including withdrawal from WHO and potential PEPFAR funding cuts. With over 70% of Ugandaโs health commodity funding historically coming from donors, the implications are stark and immediate.
The dialogue builds on the findings of a recent Market Intelligence Study on priority HIV and TB products in Uganda[A1]ย , which found that the governments contribution to the health commodity budget particularly HIV, TB, and HCV treatments is lacking, while recommending that the government should reduce dependency on International donors through the development of sustainable funding strategies to cover gaps as donor priority pivots to Climate Change and other Global Challenges.
The Scale of the Challenge
Kenneth Mwehonge from HEPS-Uganda delivered sobering statistics during his keynote presentation. The US currently provides 63% of global HIV funding, while in Africa, only South Africa allocates the recommended 5% of its budget to health โ everyone else falls short. Ugandaโs dependence runs deeper than many realize, with Essential Medicines and Health Supplies (EMHS) representing the second-largest health sector expenditure after human resources.
The numbers paint a concerning picture: over 46% of Ugandaโs commodity budget for FY24/25 remains unfunded, creating a funding gap of nearly $500 million. Critical areas like Non-Communicable Disease commodities face a 99.6% funding shortfall, while STI/OI medicines show a 90.3% gap.
Industry Perspectives on Local Manufacturing
Dr. Adrian Kivumbi from the Uganda Pharmaceutical Manufacturersโ Association highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in local production. Uganda now boasts 26 registered pharmaceutical companies with over $500 million invested, yet the sector struggles with financing constraints. Notably, 70% of the health budget remains donor-funded, creating vulnerability when products like Lumartem begin disappearing from shelves.
The path forward, according to Kivumbi, lies in three strategic areas: partnerships, Intellectual Property reform, and pricing strategies. He pointed to successful models in India, where local manufacturers receive government protection, and noted growing interest from major pharmaceutical companies like Novartis and Pfizer in providing affordable medicines to African markets.
Intellectual Property: Barrier or Bridge?
James Lubwama from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau provided crucial insights into intellectual property challenges. The fundamental issue isnโt just awareness but the strategic use of technical ambiguities in patent applications that make drug reproduction nearly impossible without specialized knowledge.
Uganda has shown leadership in implementing IP flexibilities, with over 200 drug patents blocked from registration annually. The countryโs IP office maintains over 117 million documents and offers enhanced protection for both drug compounds and manufacturing processes. However, ongoing international discussions about delinking research costs from manufacturing costs remain critical for sustainable pricing.
Government Response Strategy
Dr. Martha Ajulong from the Ministry of Health outlined the governmentโs multi-pronged approach to building resilience. The ministry is implementing the Hub and Spoke model to improve hospital accountability and has secured new funding to fill gaps left by USAID, including ongoing recruitment to address human resource shortages.
The EAC pool procurement mechanism, negotiated in March 2025 in Kigali, offers promising opportunities for collaborative purchasing power. However, Ajulong acknowledged that regional mechanisms face challenges, including mistrust among member states and preference for EU suppliers over supporting regional partners.
Funding Transition and Regional Cooperation
Diana Tibesigwa from AIDS Healthcare Foundation emphasized the need for strategic conversations about remodelling global funds and determining national priorities. Her key question resonated throughout the dialogue: โHow do we negotiate debt for health?โ
Ugandaโs membership in the African Union and East African Community presents opportunities for leveraging pool procurement mechanisms, yet implementation remains slow. The digitization of health systems and supply chains down to community levels represents a critical sustainability strategy for projects previously supported by international donors.
Innovation in Quality and Manufacturing
The National Drug Authority has demonstrated remarkable progress, growing from 6 manufacturers in 2010 to 56 today, including 32 drug manufacturers, 5 traditional medicine manufacturers, and 19 medical device manufacturers. The authority is now pursuing GAP (Good Manufacturing Practice) maturity level 3, indicating serious commitment to international quality standards. However, knowledge gaps persist among healthcare providers who often prefer foreign products despite locally manufactured alternatives being equally effective and more accessible.
A Critical Moment for Action
The dialogue concluded with a clear recognition that Uganda stands at a crossroads. The transition from donor dependence to domestic sustainability is no longer optional โ itโs urgent. As Kenneth Mwehonge emphasized in his closing remarks, โUganda can no longer afford to wait or wish for donor aid to last forever. We must seize this moment to rebuild our health supply chain around resilience, equity, and innovation.โ
The path ahead requires unprecedented coordination between government, private sector, civil society, and regional partners. Success will depend on Ugandaโs ability to transform this crisis into an opportunity for building a more resilient, locally owned healthcare system that serves all citizens effectively.
With the right political will, strategic investments, and collaborative partnerships, Uganda can emerge from this funding crisis stronger and more self-reliant than ever before. The dialogue has set the stage โ now comes the critical work of implementation.
For more information, please contact:
Seth Nimwesiga | Legal & Policy Advocacy Officer
Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD)
The Center for Health, Human Rights, and Development (CEHURD) is delighted to announce that the Moot problem and accompanying instructions for this yearโs competition are now available.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all universities that have registered for the 12th National Inter-University Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition.
This yearโs competition centers on the theme: โNavigating divergent perspectives in promoting reproductive and gender justice in Uganda,โcreating a fertile environment for thorough discussions on Reproductive and Gender Justice and in Uganda.
