Uganda has deployed 348 newly trained Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) as part of efforts to strengthen primary health care and expand access to services at the community level.
The new cohort graduated on 4 March 2026 during ceremonies held in Mbarara and Rukungiri District, marking a significant step in the country’s push to build resilient community health systems and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Expanding Uganda’s community health workforce
With this deployment, the national total of trained CHEWs has reached 5,616. The Ministry of Health Uganda aims to scale the programme to 21,432 workers by 2029 to ensure coverage at the parish level across the country.
Of the new graduates, 138 came from Mbarara City and District, while 210 were trained in Rukungiri District. Each trainee completed six months of competency-based training, costing approximately $2,100 to $2,200 per participant.
CHEWs are currently deployed in 40 districts nationwide, with plans to expand the programme to 30 additional districts by August 2026. The World Health Organization (WHO) has committed to providing continued technical support, including programme design, evaluation, supervision frameworks and emergency preparedness.
Strong government and international support
The ceremony was officiated by Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Uganda’s Minister of Health, and attended by Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda, alongside diplomats, government officials and community leaders.
Health Minister Aceng described CHEWs as the foundation of a resilient primary health care system, encouraging them to promote sanitation, hygiene, preventive health practices and timely referrals to health facilities.
The programme was developed to address long-standing gaps in Uganda’s community health system, which had previously relied mainly on Village Health Teams introduced in 2001.
Early results from the CHEW model
Since its pilot launch in 2022 in districts including Mayuge District and Lira, the CHEW programme has shown promising results. Early improvements have been recorded in immunisation coverage, antenatal care attendance, facility-based deliveries and early detection of malnutrition compared with districts yet to scale up the model.
Dr. Mwinga highlighted that CHEWs play a critical role in expanding preventive and basic health services to underserved communities, helping reduce inequalities and improve health outcomes.
Strengthening integration and sustainability
Despite progress, integrating CHEWs fully into district and national health systems remains an ongoing process. The WHO has called for stronger coordination platforms, improved monitoring tools and sustainable government-led financing models to support the programme’s expansion.
As the newly trained workers take up their posts, officials say the initiative represents an important step toward building a stronger, people-centred primary health care system across Uganda.
