Health Service Commission, Ministry of Health Begin Validation of USG-Funded Staff

Kampala: 07/04/2026

The Health Service Commission and the Ministry of Health, has commenced the national level validation exercise at the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) to facilitate the integration of health workers previously supported under US Government (USG)-funded projects into Uganda’s public service.

The four-day exercise brings together national-level staff from NHLDS, National Referral Mental Hospital Butabika and Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC).

The exercise focuses on ensuring a smooth and structured transition into government systems. The process includes registration, verification of academic qualifications and practicing licenses, as well as alignment of personnel to available positions in line with the national scheme of service.

The validation team is led by Dr. Mary Namubiru, a member of the Health Service Commission, who emphasized the importance of maintaining standards while ensuring that skilled health workers are effectively absorbed into the public workforce.

The exercise commenced with a meeting with top management, followed by a general staff briefing to debrief all staff ahead of the one-on-one validation interviews.

The session was chaired by NHLDS Assistant Commissioner Dr. Caroline Achola, who welcomed the team and wished them success in the process.

In her remarks, Dr Namubiru noted:

“Government of Uganda appreciates the work you have been doing, even as partner-supported staff. You have demonstrated strong technical expertise, which is why there is a need to transition this resource into government service. It is my hope that by the end of this process, we will have everyone successfully onboarded. I wish you all the very best in the process.”

Successful candidates are expected to receive feedback on the outcome of the exercise by the end of May.

This activity follows a five-week nationwide exercise during which the team traversed regional and district health facilities conducting similar validations for staff at sub-national level.

The exercise follows a bilateral agreement between the US Government and the Government of Uganda, signed in December 2025, to absorb USG project-supported staff into public service following the 2025 stop-work orders.

This initiative marks a critical step in strengthening Uganda’s health system by retaining experienced personnel and ensuring continuity of essential health services.