Entebbe, Uganda — As Uganda’s population ages, insurers are beginning to explore a long-overlooked frontier: medical insurance for the elderly. While companies like Jubilee, GA Insurance, and ICEA Lion Assurance have introduced policies targeting senior citizens, uptake remains alarmingly low hindered by high premiums, mistrust, and limited access to quality healthcare in rural areas.
Despite improved life expectancy, now averaging 68 years, many elderly Ugandans struggle to afford treatment for chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. Experts say the country’s low insurance penetration—below 1% of GDP reflects deep-seated cultural attitudes that view elder care as a family duty rather than a financial responsibility.
“People only think about insurance when illness strikes,” says Maurice Amogola, an insurance consultant. “But true protection begins long before the crisis.”
The challenge, industry players note, is twofold: affordability and accessibility. Premiums for elderly coverage range from Shs 1.7 million to Shs 7 million annually far beyond the reach of most retirees. At the same time, Uganda’s healthcare facilities remain concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural residents underserved even when insured.
According to ICEA Lion CEO Emmanuel Mwaka, the solution lies in encouraging long-term savings and pension-linked insurance. “Most elderly people have wealth in land, not cash. We’re guiding them to save early and convert those savings into lifetime income that supports health coverage later,” he explains.
Government efforts to establish a National Health Insurance Scheme have stalled for over a decade, leaving Uganda as one of the few East African countries without a national framework. The proposed bill would require adults to contribute Shs 15,000 annually, with the state subsidizing the poor a move experts say could anchor broader healthcare reforms.
Elsewhere in Africa, nations like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa have shown that affordable, inclusive systems can work when trust and accessibility align. Uganda’s insurance experts believe the same can happen locally if digital innovation, financial literacy, and political will come together.
With over 2.3 million Ugandans aged 60 and above, and that number projected to triple by 2050, the stakes are high. Without timely action, Uganda risks leaving its elderly behind both medically and economically.
“Insurance for seniors is not a luxury,” Mwaka says. “It’s the foundation for dignity, stability, and a secure old age.”