State House Nakasero – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, Lieutenant Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, to investigate alarming reports of poor service delivery at Mukono General Hospital, particularly in its maternity and sickle cell care units.
The President made the directive during a press conference at State House Nakasero in response to a probing question by journalist David Mwesigwa.
Mwesigwa raised concern about the dire conditions at the facility, citing a severe shortage of beds in the maternity ward and chronic under-supply of drugs, especially for the sickle cell clinic.
According to Mwesigwa, the hospital has only 15 maternity beds yet handles over 100 deliveries every week.
He revealed that due to this inadequacy, new mothers are frequently forced to sleep on the floor or outside on verandahs after giving birth.
“Your Excellency, often mothers are instructed to sleep on the floor or verandah immediately after giving birth due to lack of beds,” Mwesigwa stated.
Visibly disturbed, President Museveni turned to Gen. Nalweyiso who was in attendance and issued a firm directive.
“I did not know about this. Gen. Nalweyiso, is it happening? Please take note and compile a report about the same,” he said.
The President’s reaction highlighted both his apparent surprise at the situation and his frustration with local leadership.
He questioned the commitment of elected community leaders in Mukono, accusing them of failing to raise and follow up on pressing public issues.
“Elected leaders should be the first persons to identify people’s problems. As for the technical team including the Chief Administrative Officer, intelligence and security personnel, I will deal with them in my own way,” Museveni added.
Sources within the health sector say Mukono General Hospital has been grappling with resource constraints for years despite serving a rapidly growing population within the Greater Mukono area.
The maternity unit in particular has long been overwhelmed, leading to compromised care and health risks for mothers and newborns.
Health rights advocates have welcomed the President’s directive but urged that the investigation be thorough and followed by action.
“This should not just stop at a report. We need investment in both infrastructure and staffing,” a community health worker in Mukono said.
Gen. Nalweyiso’s findings are also expected to shed light on allegations of administrative mismanagement, especially regarding operations in the hospital’s private wing which has often been accused of diverting resources meant for public services.
The Ministry of Health is yet to issue an official statement regarding the President’s instructions, but insiders indicate that the report could lead to reforms at the hospital, including possible leadership changes.
As citizens await the outcome of the probe, many hope that presidential attention will finally bring long-overdue relief to one of Uganda’s most underserved but critical health facilities.
English 