By Frank Kamuntu
A section of MPs has accused technocrats at the Ministry of Health of colluding with top government officials to manipulate resource allocation for political gain, leading to disparities in healthcare services across the country.
During a meeting between Parliament’s Health Committee and the Ministry of Health to review the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper, Soi County MP Fadhil Chemaswet raised concerns over the concentration of health facility upgrades in areas linked to senior government officials while other regions remain underserved.
“There is an issue with some Health Centre IVs being turned into General Hospitals. These upgrades seem to favor ‘big people,’” Chemaswet claimed. He cited hospitals in Mitooma, home to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and Minister Kahinda Otafiire, Rubanda, linked to Minister of State for Finance Henry Musasizi, and Kasese, associated with former minister Crispus Kiyonga.
According to a list submitted by the Ministry of Health, some of the Health Centre IVs undergoing phased upgrades include Rukoki in Kasese, Mitooma in Mitooma, and Muko in Rubanda. Chemaswet also pointed to Katakwi District, the home of Vice President Jesca Alupo, which he claimed had disproportionately benefited from health facility improvements.
“Look at Katakwi—how many Health Centre IVs and ambulances does it have? Three! Yet in Soi Constituency, we are neglected. Of the UGX 4 trillion allocated to the health sector, our region is nowhere,” he lamented, further questioning why Kapchorwa, an independent district, was not included among the 19 regional referral hospitals.
Distribution of Health Facilities
Kabale Municipality MP Nicholas Kamara echoed similar concerns, arguing that hospital upgrades in his district were skewed toward Ndorwa West, the constituency of Minister of State for Industry David Bahati.
“Kabale has three constituencies, yet five of the upgraded health centers are in Ndorwa West. Ndorwa East, where there is no minister, has only one upgrade. Kabale Municipality got one by chance,” Kamara said. He also decried the unfair distribution of ambulances.
“Ndorwa West, on top of getting five upgraded health centers, also received an ambulance. I have given up. I’m buying my own ambulance; I have already ordered it,” he added.
Funding Shortfalls
The Ministry of Health admitted that while UGX 39 billion was allocated under the Transitional Development Grant for infrastructure improvements, the funds were inadequate, and delayed disbursements had stalled implementation.
Parliament recommended an additional UGX 56 billion to complete the rehabilitation and equipping of dilapidated General Hospitals, including Masindi, Kambuga, and Itojo, as well as facilities in Apac, Koboko, Kotido, Kamwenge, Kitgum, Amuria, Kasana-Luwero, and Kapchorwa.
Kamara also expressed disappointment over the Ministry’s failure to allocate funds for medical interns, arguing that despite repeated discussions in Parliament, their concerns had been ignored.
“Interns have been completely sidelined. People have completed medical school, yet they remain at home unemployed. Why is this not even among the Ministry’s top challenges?” he asked.
Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng responded, assuring MPs that funding had been allocated for new intern deployments.
Organ Transplant Regulations
MPs also raised concerns over the delayed enactment of regulations to operationalize the Human Organ Transplant Act, 2023. Minister Aceng attributed the delay to the government’s failure to allocate UGX 5 billion needed to establish the Organ Transplant Council, which would oversee the regulation process.
“For three years, I have requested funding for the Council. Without it, we cannot move forward with the regulations,” she explained.
Healthcare Neglect
At one point, the meeting took a dramatic turn when Chemaswet threatened to commit suicide if the Ministry failed to address the healthcare crisis in Sebei region.
“I came here prepared to hang myself. In Soy County, life expectancy is 51 years. Women are dying daily due to lack of health centers. We must travel 147 kilometers to Kween or 145 kilometers to Mbale for medical services,” he stated.
In response, Minister Aceng called for increased resource mobilization and directed MPs to raise their concerns with the Ministry of Finance.
“You are asking the wrong person. I don’t allocate funds; I use what Parliament gives me. Of the total health budget, we have only received 19% so far. What can I do with that? I cannot work miracles,” she said.
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