Hundreds of pensioners have been denied their retirement benefits after Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital failed to complete necessary documentation, forcing the return of UGX 231.5 million to the Consolidated Fund. The incident has sparked sharp criticism from Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The issue came to light during a July 30, 2025, meeting where hospital officials appeared before PAC to respond to queries in the Auditor General’s December 2024 report.
Auditor General Edward Akol reported that out of the UGX 17.33 billion allocated to the hospital, UGX 16.63 billion was spent, leaving UGX 695.15 million unused, including UGX 463.63 million meant for salaries and the remainder for pensions. The report flagged that unutilized wage funds had hindered recruitment, while unpaid pension arrears disrupted service delivery.
Hospital officials blamed the unspent pension funds on incomplete documentation, name and ID discrepancies, and the death of some beneficiaries before transitioning to a new payment system. However, MPs rejected these explanations, citing institutional inefficiencies.
Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi condemned the hospital’s handling of the matter, contrasting it with the efficiency of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
“It’s shocking that someone serves this country for over 30 years only to be told their documents are missing,” Opendi said. “Why isn’t verification done before exit? This reflects gross laxity.”
Amuria Woman MP Susan Amero questioned how the Human Resource department could track attendance but fail to secure complete staff files.
“How do you employ someone without proper documentation and fail to regularize it over decades?” she asked.
PAC Vice Chairperson Gorreth Namugga advised hospital management to take the criticism as an opportunity for reform.
“Retirees constantly report delayed payments. HR must take full responsibility and fix these gaps,” she said.
The committee also raised concern over the hospital’s failure to distribute the planned 50,000 condoms in the previous year, with only 24,000 reaching the public due to delivery shortfalls by the National Medical Stores (NMS). Namugga described the situation as “criminal,” linking it to rising HIV infections in the Ankole region.
Buvuma Woman MP Susan Mugabi emphasized the urgency, noting Mbarara’s status as the district with the country’s highest HIV prevalence.
However, hospital pharmacist Gerald Manzi Mbabazize explained that condom shortages were uncommon and largely due to exceptional supply chain issues that year.
PAC has directed Mbarara Hospital to urgently address these administrative failures to ensure efficient service delivery and timely pension disbursement.
