Uganda: Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged the government to renovate dilapidated health facilities and elevate them to district hospital status to enhance service delivery. Hon. Joan Alobo (FDC, Soroti City Woman Representative) emphasized the importance of adhering to President Yoweri Museveni's directives on improving health infrastructure and equipping hospitals adequately, noting that many facilities are still lacking.
According to African Press Organization, during a parliamentary debate on a motion to appreciate the President's State-of-the-Nation Address delivered on June 4, 2026, Alobo highlighted the dire conditions at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, where male and female patients are forced to share a ward due to inadequate infrastructure. She urged Parliament to demand a comprehensive report from the Minister for Health on plans to refurbish the hospital.
Hon. Umar Nangoli (Indep., Northern Division, Mbale City) drew attention to stalled plans at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, where a proposed multi-purpose complex for emergency and specialized care remains incomplete due to funding constraints. He revealed that the project, initially estimated at Shs14 billion, has received only Shs500 million, with an outstanding requirement of Shs26 billion.
Additionally, Hon. Emmanuel Rwashande, Lwemiyaga County MP, pointed out the limited availability of health facilities in Ssembabule District, forcing residents to travel across five districts to access healthcare in Masaka District. He called for the establishment of health centers in his sub-counties to bring essential services closer to the people.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa echoed the need for national referral hospitals in various regions to decentralize medical services currently concentrated at Mulago National Referral Hospital. He highlighted the potential of utilizing specialists from institutions like Mbarara University of Science and Technology to aid patients if such hospitals were established.
State Minister for Health (Primary Health Care), Hon. Charles Ayume, acknowledged plans to decentralize key health services from Kampala to other districts. He mentioned ongoing projects, including the establishment of oncology units in Gulu and West Nile, with similar plans for cardiovascular treatment facilities. Ayume also announced intentions to upgrade Mbarara Hospital to a national referral status and establish additional national referral hospitals across Uganda.
Ayume conceded that significant financial investment, estimated between Shs500 billion to Shs1 trillion, is required for these developments, acknowledging past delays due to infrastructural challenges. However, with improved national electrification, Ayume expressed optimism about the readiness to decentralize healthcare services.
Addressing the issues at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Ayume confirmed government plans to address the facility's dilapidated state, considering options to either relocate and rebuild or remodel the existing infrastructure, as done with Masindi Hospital.