Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC-Central) have urged government to prioritise funding for Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, citing its inadequate medical equipment and infrastructure.
The call comes after a review of the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2023/2024, which highlights critical deficiencies at the hospital serving a population of over four million people. The committee met officials from the hospital on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.
The Auditor General’s report revealed that the hospital lacks essential equipment, and that X-ray machines have been non-functional for two years, forcing patients to seek costly services from private facilities. Additionally, the maternity ward is short of basic drip stands, with staff resorting to using window shutters to administer IV drips, often to patients on the floor due to space constraints.
PAC-Central Vice Chairperson, Hon. Gorreth Namugga, expressed concern over the hospital’s condition saying, “this is embarrassing, and we are losing lives. The government must provide special attention to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital to address congestion issues seen in Kampala”.
She noted that only three of five Intensive Care Unit (ICU) rooms have working ventilators, and two of eight ICU beds are non-functional, despite their high demand.
Committee members questioned the Ministry of Health’s oversight, with Kumi Municipality MP, Silas Aogon, calling for the ministry to explain its role in supporting equipment maintenance.
“We need to invite the Ministry here to know how they are helping hospitals, especially with equipment repairs,” Aogon said.
Space limitations have forced the hospital to convert tutorial rooms meant for Mbarara University students into maternity wards.
MPs also highlighted an incomplete 32-unit staff housing complex, which has already cost Shs3.7 billion. They urged the government to allocate Shs1.9 billion to complete the project.
The hospital’s Acting Director, Dr. Deus Twesigye, confirmed the findings, noting that development partners have assisted in repairing some ICU ventilators, though two beds remain barely functional.
Twesigye expressed optimism about the new hospital budget, which includes provisions for hiring a biomedical engineer to improve equipment maintenance. He further told MPs that the Ministry of Health has promised to deliver an X-ray machine and that plans are underway for its installation.
The committee stressed that urgent government intervention is needed to restore Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital’s capacity, particularly as it is earmarked to become a national referral hospital in the future.
