Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC-Central) have urged the government to urgently prioritise funding for Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, citing critical gaps in medical equipment and infrastructure.
The call follows a review of the Auditor General’s 2023/2024 report, which flagged serious deficiencies at the facility that serves more than four million people. The committee met hospital officials on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.
According to the report, essential equipment is lacking, with X-ray machines having been non-functional for two years, forcing patients to seek expensive services from private clinics. The maternity ward faces severe shortages, including drip stands, forcing staff to improvise by hanging IV fluids on window shutters. Many patients are treated on the floor due to overcrowding.
PAC-Central Vice Chairperson, Hon. Gorreth Namugga, decried the situation, saying, “This is embarrassing, and we are losing lives. The government must give special attention to Mbarara Hospital to address congestion like that seen in Kampala.”
Namugga noted that only three of five ICU rooms have working ventilators, and two out of eight ICU beds are non-functional, despite high demand.
MPs also questioned the Ministry of Health’s oversight role. Kumi Municipality MP, Silas Aogon, demanded answers: “We need to invite the Ministry to explain how they are supporting hospitals, especially with equipment repairs.”
Due to space constraints, hospital management has converted tutorial rooms, intended for Mbarara University medical students into maternity wards.
The MPs further raised concerns over an incomplete 32-unit staff housing project, which has so far cost Shs3.7 billion. They urged the government to allocate an additional Shs1.9 billion to complete it.
Hospital Acting Director, Dr. Deus Twesigye, confirmed the audit findings. He said some ICU ventilators have been repaired with support from development partners, although two ICU beds remain barely functional.
He expressed hope that the hiring of a biomedical engineer, provided for in the new hospital budget, would improve equipment maintenance.
Twesigye also revealed that the Ministry of Health has pledged to deliver a new X-ray machine, with installation plans underway.
The committee stressed the need for urgent government intervention to restore the hospital’s operational capacity, especially as it is earmarked to become a national referral facility.
