Health 27 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
M-CARE Project Launches with Shs17B to Transform Uganda's Primary Healthcare
The M-CARE project, funded by €4 million from the EU, was launched in Lira to train health workers in managing multi-morbidities like hypertension, diabetes, and mental health at primary centres. It aims to boost early detection, integrate care systems, and support Universal Health Coverage across Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/new-shs17b-health-project-promises-to-revolutionise-uganda-s-healthcare-5404694
A groundbreaking healthcare initiative, the M-CARE project, kicked off on March 26, 2026, in Lira City, promising major improvements in tackling chronic diseases in Uganda. Led by Lira University alongside the University of Amsterdam and Kenya’s African Population and Health Research Centre, the five-year effort has a €4 million budget, with over Shs2.5 billion earmarked for Uganda.
The project targets 60 health centres in Lira, Oyam, Kole districts, and Lira City. It will equip healthcare workers with skills to detect and handle multi-morbidities, deploy tools for early hypertension and diabetes screening, and create data-sharing platforms for better decisions and referrals.
Village Health Teams will rally communities for screenings and unified services. Research outcomes will inform the Ministry of Health for nationwide policy expansion, as noted by Principal Investigator Associate Professor Dr Bernard Omech.
Focusing on integrated care for cardio-metabolic issues and mental health, M-CARE shifts from isolated treatments to patient-focused models, cutting fragmentation and costs. This supports Universal Health Coverage by making quality care accessible to all.
Lira University’s acting Vice Chancellor, Dr Andrew Ojulong, hailed it as a milestone for northern Uganda, where NCDs like hypertension and diabetes are surging. Ministry of Health’s Dr Charles Oyoo Akiya warned NCDs could soon outpace infectious diseases without action.
Local leaders, including Dr Patrick Buchan Ocen of Lango DHOs, praised the Lira University partnership for bridging academia and health administration. WHO data shows NCDs cause 74% of global deaths, with most premature losses in low-income nations like Uganda.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)