MPs Slam Health Ministry Over Stalled X-ray Room Repairs in 20 Hospitals

Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) clashed with Health Ministry officials over delays in refurbishing X-ray rooms across 20 hospitals. The issue stemmed from non-compliance with Section 60(6) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending December 2025.

The confrontation occurred during a April 2, 2026, meeting at Parliament, led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine. The report also pointed out the ministry’s lack of a multi-year procurement plan for projects valued at Shs 3.43 billion, despite absorbing 99.9% of its Shs 228.8 billion budget.

Kassanda County North MP Hon. Patrick Nsamba questioned the ministry’s dependence on non-tax revenue (NTR) from patients for X-ray and scans at regional hospitals. He advocated budgeting these services to align with Universal Health Coverage goals and reduce citizen burdens.

Atwine explained NTR projections are centrally managed and cited dialysis at Kiruddu Hospital, where government covers only part of the Shs 400,000 per session cost, leaving patients with hefty weekly bills. She noted no country fully funds all healthcare without mechanisms like national insurance.

Committee Deputy Chairperson Hon. Gorreth Namugga highlighted delays in immunisation funding for 14 diseases, with Atwine blaming late supplementary budgets from Finance. MP Hon. Joseph Ssewungu pressed on declining donor support and mitigation steps.

While 36 of 51 planned outputs were fully achieved (Shs 148.3 billion), 15 worth Shs 80.2 billion remained partial, risking project cancellations. Atwine pledged better e-GP system use, planning, and tracking for 2026/27.

Source: Parliament of Uganda