Naguru Hospital set for upgrade into a specialised trauma centre

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The Ministry of Health has announced plans to upgrade the Uganda–China Friendship Hospital, Naguru, into a specialised trauma centre to address Kampala’s growing health needs, which now affect more than three million people.

Speaking during the hospital’s first-ever community dialogue held on September 14, 2025, at Legends Grounds, Lugogo, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, said the government was working with China to expand the facility and secure additional land for its development.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, said the government was working with China to expand the facility and secure additional land for its development. (Photo by John Musenze)

“Naguru Hospital sits at the heart of the city. We want to see it grow into a specialised trauma centre because the demand for services is very, very high. We are committed every single day, every passing hour, to ensuring that services in Kampala get better,” Dr Atwine said.

Naguru Hospital, built through a partnership between China and Uganda in 2012, has in recent years struggled with overwhelming patient numbers. Originally designed to serve a modest urban population, the facility is now under pressure from the city’s rapid growth.

Dr Irene Nayiga, the hospital’s executive director, said outpatient attendance had nearly doubled.

“Our numbers have risen from 30,000 to 50,000 outpatients per quarter. This clearly shows the demand and why expansion and upgrading are not just necessary but urgent,” Dr Nayiga explained.

She added that the dialogue provided hospital managers with an opportunity to hear directly from community leaders, village health teams and other stakeholders about the challenges patients face.

“This facility exists because of the community. Engagements like today are crucial in helping us streamline communication, address concerns, and work together for better service delivery,” she said.

Dr Atwine also revealed that the government’s plans extend beyond Naguru. She said Kiswa and Kisenyi health centres in Kampala would be upgraded to hospital status next year due to increasing patient numbers.

“When you look at facilities such as Kisenyi, the congestion is unbelievable. They are functioning like hospitals but are funded as small health centres. This is not sustainable, and we must upgrade them urgently,” she said.

L-R: Dr Irene Nayiga, the hospital’s executive director, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Health Ministry spokesperson and the Assistant RCC Nakawa division during the hospital’s first-ever community dialogue. (Photo by John Musenze)

The ministry is further exploring the possibility of establishing new hospitals in divisions such as Rubaga, which currently lacks such a facility.

While praising improvements in cleanliness and customer care at Naguru, Dr Atwine expressed concern about unethical practices still reported in some departments.

“The issue of extortion is absolutely not acceptable. Anybody caught extorting money from patients will face dismissal. Our role is to provide services, not to turn ourselves into shops or brokers,” she warned.

She also reminded health workers of their professional duty to treat patients with dignity.

“Every life matters. Our ethics dictate that even when a mentally ill person comes to us, they must be handled as a precious person,” Dr Atwine stressed.

Addressing concerns about complicated payment procedures, Dr Nayiga assured the public that changes were being made.

“We have partnered with the Uganda Revenue Authority and banks to set up payment stations within the hospital. Patients will no longer need to walk out to make deposits,” she said.

Dr Atwine further noted that digitalisation was improving service delivery and reducing drug stock-outs.

“Now that all medicines are prescribed through the system, the number of patients forced to buy from outside has significantly reduced. Digitalisation helps us track stocks and cut down on leakages,” she explained.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine takes a photo with the senior staff of Naguru Hospital and the Mayor of Nakawa. (Photo by John Musenze)

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesperson for the health ministry, praised Naguru’s management for convening the dialogue, describing it as a model for other facilities.

“The feedback we have gathered here will go a long way in improving services. We have seen extortion reduced, cleanliness improved, and customer care strengthened. We encourage all health facilities to hold such engagements with their communities on a regular basis,” he said.

Dr Atwine concluded by assuring the public of the government’s determination to expand and strengthen urban health services despite financial constraints.

“We may not have all the resources we need, but we are determined to work with you, the leaders and the community to lobby together and find solutions. Health services must improve, and with your support, they will,” she said.