Oboth urges Mukono to secure land for modern hospital amid congestion concerns

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Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth has called on Mukono district leaders to secure land for the construction of a modern hospital, saying the facility is urgently needed to provide quality healthcare and ease congestion at Mukono General Hospital, where he was once treated during a personal health crisis.

Addressing a prayer and thanksgiving ceremony organised on July 31, 2026, in his honour by the Greater Mukono Interfaith Forum at Mt Lebanon Christian Church in Mukono municipality, Oboth said the district’s challenges had now become his own. He pledged to engage leaders and residents openly while upholding the dignity of Parliament.

“I specifically appeal to the district leadership to secure land for the construction of a modern hospital capable of delivering quality healthcare and easing the heavy congestion at Mukono General Hospital,” the Speaker said.

Speaker raising his hands during Prayer and thanksgiving organised by Mukono Inter Faith Forum held at Mt. Lebaon Christian Centre. (Photo by Eric Yiga)

He recalled that the existing hospital had cared for him during his own health emergency, underscoring both its importance and its current limitations.

Oboth linked the health infrastructure gap to wider development needs, noting that poor roads and inadequate health facilities continue to hinder progress in Greater Mukono.

He pledged to work diligently to ensure the issues receive attention at the national level.

The ceremony, the first of its kind for Oboth since assuming the Speakership, brought together religious leaders, government officials, Members of Parliament and local leaders.

It opened with prayers led by Forum chairman Bishop Dr Samuel Lwandasa, who presented the Speaker with a Bible described as a “weapon of spiritual warfare” and affirmed that Oboth had been chosen and protected from childhood.

Religious leaders from Adventist, Muslim and Protestant communities joined the intercessions. They thanked President Yoweri Museveni for appointing a Speaker with roots in Mukono and urged Oboth not to fear the challenges of office. Bishop Jeremiah Aligawesa of the East Buganda Field (Adventists), Sheikh Ssenkuba Abbas Ssonko (Muslims) and Archdeacon Edward Balamaze of Seeta (Protestants) all emphasised the need for unity and service beyond political or denominational lines.

District chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome used the occasion to request that the Speaker convey Mukono’s appeal for increased central government funding, particularly for roads. The call was supported by Mukono Municipality Mayor Robert Peter Kabanda.

Deputy resident district commissioner Moses Muyambi, representing RDC Fatima Ndisaba Nabittaka, praised the Interfaith Forum for creating a non-partisan platform that brings together leaders across political divides.

Members of Parliament present, including Betty Nambooze Bakireeke (Mukono Municipality) and Sheila Amanio (Mukono district woman MP), thanked the Speaker for creating opportunities for constituency concerns to be presented so that services can flow from the centre. Nambooze welcomed Oboth’s inclusive leadership style and said Uganda needed to build a nation free from ethnic and political discrimination.

Oboth called on Ugandans to embrace unity without discrimination based on political affiliation, religion, ethnicity or other differences, describing such cohesion as essential for meaningful national development.

“If there is unity without discrimination based on different political beliefs, religions and other such differences, this will help this country to progress and achieve meaningful development,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Markson Oboth (in the middle) with Bishop Dr Samuel Lwandasa, Mukono district LCV Francis Lukooya Mukoome and other leaders in Mukono district during a prayer and thanksgiving ceremony organised on July 31, 2026, in his honour. (Photo by Eric Yiga)

In closing, the Speaker formally launched the Greater Mukono Interfaith Forum and donated sh10m to support its work.

Bishop Lwandasa earlier expressed gratitude to the NRM government for developments in the area, including tarmac roads, street lighting and clean water supply, and requested an audience with the Speaker at Parliament so the Forum could formally present wider concerns affecting Ugandans.

The gathering, attended by RDCs, local government officials, Members of Parliament and residents, highlighted a shared commitment to collaborative service delivery, with improved healthcare infrastructure emerging as one of Mukono’s most pressing priorities.