Mao Pledges Support for National Health Insurance as Uganda's Insurance Sector Pushes for Reforms

Uganda’s insurance sector is pressing for critical policy reforms and innovative products to broaden coverage. This push comes as gross written premiums reached Shs2.024 trillion in 2025, yet overall insurance penetration stubbornly remains below one percent of the national gross domestic product.

Speaking at the sixth International Annual Insurance Conference held in Gulu City, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao promised to engage fellow cabinet ministers to fast-track the long-awaited National Health Insurance Scheme. Mao highlighted that his ministry has implemented a two-week client-charter window, offering industry stakeholders a direct channel to address pending regulatory issues and present sector concerns.

Industry leaders at the gathering emphasized that limited public awareness, steep affordability hurdles, and an over-reliance on corporate clients continue to hinder everyday citizens from accessing coverage. Saul Sseremba, CEO of the Insurance Training College, urged insurance providers to design tailored microinsurance options directed at vulnerable groups such as small-scale farmers, local traders, and boda-boda operators. Furthermore, Sseremba advised companies to brace for emerging modern threats, including cybercrime, artificial intelligence risks, and intensifying climate change effects.

Data from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) demonstrates that gross written premiums grew by roughly 14.72 percent from Shs1.764 trillion in 2024 to Shs2.024 trillion in 2025. Although microinsurance premiums experienced a notable surge of over 130 percent in 2024, they still represent a negligible fraction of overall industry business, underscoring a persistent gap in protecting low-income earners.

Dr. Protazio Sande, the acting CEO of the IRA, encouraged the wider Ugandan public to adopt insurance practices to safeguard their daily enterprises, agricultural pursuits, and workplaces against unexpected disasters. Stakeholders agreed that stronger government frameworks and community-focused products are vital for future growth.

Read more details on the Nile Post.