Reliable access to essential medicines remains a challenge in many rural parts of Uganda. In Busoga and Rwenzori, health facilities face inefficiencies in stock management and limited digital tools, leading to frequent supply interruptions—especially for maternal and child health medicines.
Between August and December 2025, Enabel and SAMASHA conducted over 80 mentorship visits across 22 facilities. Teams worked directly with health workers to improve stock tracking, ordering accuracy, and use of data for forecasting. Digital reporting tools introduced at facilities like Buwenge and Bwera improved real-time visibility of supplies.
Notable improvements were observed at facilities such as Bujubuli Health Centre IV, including improved inventory accuracy and stronger teamwork. Most facilities maintained adequate supplies of oxytocin and magnesium sulphate. However, 30% of facilities still reported shortages of key medicines such as misoprostol and vitamin K.
Challenges remain, including limited storage capacity, constrained budgets, and weak Medicines and Therapeutics Committees. Strengthening governance, increasing financing, promoting data-driven ordering, and sustaining mentorship will be critical to ensuring consistent access to lifesaving medicines.