Buganda Kingdom has partnered with Jubilee Life Insurance Uganda to launch a groundbreaking health insurance plan aimed at improving access to affordable medical care for the everyday Ugandan.
Named Tubeere Balamu Yinsuwa—literally “We Should Be Healthy”—the plan enables members of the public to pay an annual premium of shs198,000 to access basic medical care, including treatment for common illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and respiratory infections. It also provides support during hospital stays and offers financial protection in cases of death, disability, or serious illness.
Speaking at the launch event, Eugine Mutekhele, CEO of Jubilee Life Insurance Uganda said the initiative is timely.
“Illness does not wait for the next outreach. Families continue to struggle silently, facing difficult choices between seeking treatment and meeting daily needs. That is why today is so important. Today, we move from temporary relief to sustainable healthcare protection.”
Mutekhele cited alarming statistics: of Uganda’s 45 million people, only around 505,000 have any form of health insurance, while 30% of households spend over 40% of their income on medical costs.
He added that awareness of insurance remains low, with only 11% of the population—or 4.5 million people—understanding how it works. Coverage is concentrated among those with higher education and steady incomes.
“Tubeere Balamu Yinsuwa is not just an insurance plan. It is a community solution, designed for the everyday person. It is affordable, practical, and addresses real health challenges people face daily. This initiative will ensure fewer families sell assets or borrow at high costs to cover health care, and will provide timely access to medical services without uncertainty.”
Uganda faces a significant malaria burden, contributing 5% of global cases. Children under five account for 75% of malaria deaths, which also represent 14% of hospital deaths and 25% of hospital admissions. The disease costs the Ugandan economy roughly $500 million annually.
Jubilee Life Insurance Uganda, together with Weerinde Insurance Brokerage Services Ltd and the Kabaka Foundation, will underwrite the initiative, ensuring reliability, transparency, and timely claims settlement. The goal is to enroll over 100,000 members across the kingdom, with local leaders serving as key advocates to reach households effectively.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga of Buganda highlighted the kingdom’s long history of prioritizing health.
He noted that in the 13th century, the Ngeye and Ngabi Nyunga clans were designated as custodians of health, with their leaders serving as Surgeon General and Orthopedic Surgeon General, respectively. During the colonial period, the kingdom established some of the country’s first health facilities, including the 1914 hospital in the Ssese Islands built by Kabaka Daudi Chwa II.
“During the current reign of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the kingdom continues to focus on immunization, nutrition, the fight against HIV/AIDS, and health camps organized by the Kabaka Foundation and the Ministry of Health. At all times, the kingdom has prioritized the health of its people,” Mayiga said.
This partnership between Buganda Kingdom and Jubilee Life Insurance represents a major step toward sustainable, community-focused health coverage and economic relief for Ugandans.
