Ministry seeks sh1.5b for Lubowa Hospital construction supervision

Health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has appealed to Parliament for shillings 1.5 billion to facilitate the supervision of the Lubowa International Specialised Hospital (ISHU).

Aceng made the request while presenting the ministry's Budget Framework Paper for the 2025/26 financial year (FY) before the parliamentary health committee chaired by Dr Joseph Ruyonga (Hoima West), on January 16, 2025.

She informed the committee that the construction of the 243-bed Lubowa ISHU commenced in 2019 and was initially delayed by various challenges, the project is now expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and as of December 31, 2024, the construction was 45% complete.

“This project has reached critical phases that require close monitoring and supervision to ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards. The shillings 1.5 billion requested is essential for supervision activities in the upcoming financial year,” Aceng told the committee.

Ministry funding gaps and progress

Aceng also highlighted the urgent need to address gaps in the ambulance service system.

Currently, the ministry requires shillings 17.6 billion for the maintenance and functionality of the existing ambulance fleet, which includes shillings 12 billion for fuel and 5.6 billion for servicing and maintenance.

An additional shillings 12.8 billion is needed to establish a National Ambulance Service System, while 54 billion is required to procure 158 ambulances to serve constituencies that currently lack this essential resource.

“In FY 2023/24, we procured 116 new ambulances. 79 of these have already been deployed, while the remaining 37 are being retrofitted with necessary equipment and will be deployed by February 2025,” the minister noted.

Despite these efforts, the current gap stands at 240 ambulances, with 178 constituencies having not received any.

The ministry also faces shillings 70 billion in domestic arrears, some of which have remained outstanding for over a decade. 

“We appeal to Parliament to prioritise the clearance of these arrears to ensure smoother operations and maintain credibility with service providers,” the minister emphasized.

Unfinished infrastructure

Partial funding continues to hinder the completion of critical health infrastructure projects.

According to Aceng, approximately 60% of ongoing projects, including Health Centre IV (HCIV) theatres and maternity blocks, remain incomplete due to insufficient funding.

“An estimated shillings 60 billion is required to complete these projects. Additionally, shillings 27 billion is needed for staff wages and 7.6 billion for medicines to operationalise these facilities,” she said.

From 2020 to 2024, significant progress was made under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) programme. A total of 342 HCs II were upgraded to HCsIII, while 31 new HCsIII were constructed.

A total of 41 HCs III underwent rehabilitation and expansion under the Uganda Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project (URMCHIP).

Ongoing projects include upgrading 57 facilities, which are expected to be completed in FY 2024/25. Despite these achievements, several projects require additional funding for completion and operationalization.

General Hospitals Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation efforts for general hospitals have also faced financial constraints. Over the past four years, Kawolo, Busolwe and Gombe General Hospitals were fully rehabilitated, while Kambuga General Hospital is undergoing phased rehabilitation.

“Kambuga's work progress currently stands at 30%, with a 16-unit staff house block and a theatre completed,” Aceng said.

In FY 2024/25, the Ministry plans to rehabilitate 11 general hospitals, including Masindi, Apac, Koboko, Kotido, Kamwenge, and Kitgum. However, the implementation of these plans has been delayed by inadequate funding from the Ministry of Finance.

The minister called on Parliament to prioritise health sector funding, emphasizing that the completion of health infrastructure and procurement of essential resources would significantly improve healthcare delivery across the country.

“We need Parliament's support to ensure that our plans are fully funded. Health is a cornerstone of national development, and we must invest adequately in this sector,” she said.