Parliament has approved an additional UGX53.119 billion for the Lubowa International Hospital project, pushing the total government expenditure on the project to UGX529.588 billion. This decision comes after Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja assured legislators that the hospital, whose completion has faced repeated delays, will be operational by April 2025. Nabbanja further revealed that medical personnel are currently undergoing specialized training in Italy in preparation for the hospital’s opening.
The approval, however, faced stiff opposition, with lawmakers raising concerns over limited access to the project site and a lack of transparency. Joel Ssenyonyi, chairperson of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE), expressed frustration over Parliament’s inability to conduct on-site inspections. “The government keeps returning to Parliament for more funding, yet it denies us access to monitor progress. This raises serious questions about accountability,” Ssenyonyi remarked.
Despite the opposition, Nabbanja urged Parliament to release the funds, stating that construction is 61.8% complete, with most of the necessary medical equipment already procured. She emphasized that additional funding would ensure the hospital’s timely completion.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who visited the site on two occasions, endorsed the funding, describing the progress as promising. He noted that over 700 workers are actively engaged in the project and expressed confidence in the contractor’s commitment to complete structural works by April 2025.
Concerns over accountability, however, remain a key issue. In a minority report, MP Ibrahim Ssemujju called for a halt to further disbursements until an independent audit is conducted. He cited a June 2023 Auditor General’s report that highlighted restricted access to engineers and inadequate supervision, warning of potential financial mismanagement.
Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng acknowledged challenges with oversight, revealing that construction progress stood at just 35% as of December 2024. She requested an additional UGX1.5 billion to bolster supervision efforts, admitting the absence of a consultant has left government engineers overstretched.
The debate underscores the divide between the government and opposition lawmakers over the handling of the Lubowa project, with demands for greater transparency continuing to dominate discussions.
