Uganda’s Health Sector Through Turbulent Politics (1958-2018) presents a historical account of some of the key health sector interventions and pioneering personalities in Uganda over the past 60 years. It reveals the intertwined relationship between Uganda’s health sector and the turbulent politics that have bedevilled the country. Nothing meaningfully can be achieved in the modern era, without the provision of good health care for the population and individual health. Indeed, good health is a hallmark of social-economic development.
This book demonstrates that politicians in Uganda have not always been enthusiastic advocates for the health system–as exemplified by Uganda’s independence movements as well as subsequent governments. Furthermore, this book reveals that Uganda’s infant and child mortality rates experienced two depressive curves despite overall improvement over the last 60 years: one in the 1970-1980s during Idi Amin’s rule, which was beset by social and economic disruptions and poor governance; and another in the 1990-2000s, due to the numerous rebellions that broke out. As a result of this political turmoil, Uganda’s successive governments have often expended their budget on politicking and the military, at the expense of investing in social services. Thus, Uganda has suffered from inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of drugs, as well as poor staff remuneration and a crisis in their motivation.