Lubowa Hospital completion set for June 2026 — minister Aceng

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The Lubowa Specialised Hospital project is set for final completion in June 2026, according to Health Minister Dr Ruth Aceng. 

She made the announcement during a meeting on March 28, 2025, between the Ministry of Health and Parliament’s Health Committee, which was reviewing the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement for the health sector.

However, the announcement comes amid renewed controversy over additional funding, with opposition MPs questioning the project's financial transparency and overall progress.

During the session before Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Aceng confirmed that as of December 2024, the government had certified works worth $170.57 million (sh62.462 billion).

However, Parliament records indicate that a total of sh774.469 billion has been approved for the project.

She stated that the hospital complex is currently about 30% complete, with roofing expected to be completed by April 2025.

“The construction effective date was June 10, 2019, with substantial completion expected by October 2025. The final completion date is set for June 2026. Staff hostels and the training school have been completed, furnished, and handed over, with training activities ongoing,” Aceng said.

Funding controversy

Despite these updates, the recent approval of sh4.255 trillion supplementary budget, which includes sh298 billion for Lubowa Hospital, has sparked opposition.

Shadow finance minister and Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju led the protests, arguing that the project lacks financial accountability and should not receive more funds until a special audit is conducted.

“I don’t need to remind the country where and when Uganda fell in love with Italian investor Pinetti. Mentioning her name is painful enough. In light of these issues, there is a significant risk of financial loss for Ugandans if additional funding is allocated to the project. It is recommended that the project be halted until a special audit report is completed and Parliament deliberates on the findings,” Ssemujju stated.

According to Dr Aceng, the total cost of construction, including financing expenses, stands at $379.7 million (sh1.390 trillion).

The 2025/26 budget has allocated sh1.5 billion to the Ministry of Health for supervising the hospital’s construction.

“Physical work progress is currently at 45%. The hospital complex will be roofed by April 2025, and construction is expected to be fully completed by June 2026,” she added.

Two weeks ago, the health ministry released photos and videos showing the progress of Lubowa Hospital.

Health sector challenges beyond Lubowa

While the Lubowa project remains under scrutiny, Uganda’s broader health sector is also facing financial setbacks following the U.S. government's decision to cut foreign aid. Dr Aceng revealed that Uganda lost sh604 billion in funding for key health programs, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and nutrition services.

The withdrawal of support, which took effect on January 20, 2025, has prompted the Ministry of Health to integrate some affected programs into routine healthcare services.

“The ministry also calls upon Parliament to mobilise resources to close this funding gap and ensure self-reliance for Uganda’s health sector,” Dr Aceng urged.