Health Systems Strengthening, HIV/AIDS
How U.S. Support through PEPFAR Strengthened Christian Health Services in Uganda
The Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB) serves communities across Uganda with compassion and a commitment to health in totality. As a network of over 330 faith-based health facilities and training institutions, UPMB’s mission to reach the most vulnerable has been amplified by investments from the American people through U.S. foreign assistance.
Supporting 178,000+ Lives on ART
UPMB’s partnership with PEPFAR (The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) has made a profound difference. With funding from USAID, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Defense, UPMB delivered life-saving HIV prevention, care, and treatment services to 178,463 people, representing 13 percent of Uganda’s HIV-positive population currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
In the past year alone:
- Over 875,000 individuals were tested for HIV, with more than 11,500 testing positive and connected to care.
- Over 43,000 men received medical male circumcision, a proven HIV prevention strategy.
- More than 69,000 pregnant women were tested for HIV during antenatal care, with 10,440 initiated on ART.
This scale of impact would not have been possible without sustained U.S. government support.
Photo: Blood sample collection by a nurse from an exposed infant for an HIV test.
Investing in Systems Beyond Services
Beyond service delivery, U.S. funding helped UPMB build sustainability by strengthening internal systems, governance, and capacity. For example:
- Organizational capacity assessments enabled UPMB to refine its internal controls, making it more competitive and effective in managing donor and non-donor funds.
- Training in corporate governance positioned UPMB’s leadership to deliver on its mission with greater transparency and strategic focus.
- Investments in infrastructure and laboratory equipment at supported health facilities improved the quality of care.
- Healthcare workers and community volunteers were trained in comprehensive HIV and TB care, ensuring services could continue even with limited oversight.
Thanks to this support, UPMB is now better equipped to serve as a trusted Christian health care partner, innovating in service delivery and expanding sustainable health financing models across Uganda.
A Ministry Rooted in Compassion and Service
Guided by the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, UPMB brings hope and health to underserved communities, especially in Uganda’s rural and low-income urban areas. With a focus on “health in totality,” UPMB goes beyond treatment to provide dignity, compassion, and spiritual care alongside medical services.
Photo: HIV testing at a Church of God clinic in Namayingo District, Uganda. Credit: Andrew Ogei
U.S. foreign assistance has helped UPMB address the unique needs of faith-based providers, from human resources for health to technical capacity. The support enabled UPMB to serve the poor and marginalized, not just as a health provider, but as a vital part of the national health system.
Consequences of Cuts
Despite these successes, UPMB—like many implementing partners—has felt the painful effects of funding reductions. The premature termination of key programs such as the Local Service Delivery Activity (LSDA) and the Strengthening Local Health Systems (SLHS) initiative resulted in:
- The loss of 90% of the LSDA staff, including frontline health workers and facility personnel.
- Disruption of services at community treatment points, threatening access to ART for 133,572 clients.
- Increased risk for 11,948 children and adolescents, and 2,495 pregnant or breastfeeding women living with HIV.
- Delayed or halted treatment for 1,711 newly diagnosed TB patients, including 172 children.
- Reduced quality of care at 58 PNFP health centers due to loss of technical support and outreach.
These cuts not only put individual lives at risk but also threaten to reverse gains in HIV and TB epidemic control—risking the resurgence of drug-resistant strains and weakening the health system’s ability to respond.
Why It Matters
For Americans who wonder whether foreign aid makes a difference, UPMB offers a clear and compelling answer. PEPFAR has saved lives, strengthened systems, and empowered local, faith-based institutions to care for their own communities. The results are healthier families, stronger communities, and a Uganda that is closer than ever to ending the HIV epidemic.
According to UPMB: “This funding has greatly impacted the lives of individuals, families, and communities, ensuring that they are healthy, productive, and able to contribute to society. It has also helped protect global public health by containing potential threats before they cross borders.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
UPMB remains deeply grateful to the U.S. Government and the American people for their visionary support through PEPFAR. With continued partnership, faith-based organizations like UPMB can carry forward their mission of healing.
Top Photo: A health worker draws blood from a client during a community outreach.