Health 2 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Power Outages Jeopardize Patient Lives at Iganga General Hospital
Frequent power blackouts at Iganga General Hospital are putting patients' lives at risk, forcing reliance on expensive generators for critical services. The hospital administration and local leaders are appealing for urgent government intervention to stabilize the electricity supply. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/power-blackouts-put-iganga-hospital-patients-lives-at-risk-5580562
Patients at Iganga General Hospital face significant risks due to recurring power interruptions that disrupt essential medical services. The facility, which serves a large catchment area beyond its intended capacity, relies heavily on generators to maintain crucial operations like maternity, theatre, laboratory, and oxygen services.
Hospital administrator Abubakar Waiswa stated that the monthly cost of generator fuel amounts to approximately Shs7 million, with the hospital experiencing seven to ten power outages daily. Some of these outages can last for hours, placing a considerable strain on the hospital’s budget and leading to accumulated debt. The hospital has made repeated appeals to the Ministry of Energy and the Office of the Prime Minister for assistance.
The unreliable power supply has had devastating personal consequences. Iganga District Woman MP Mariam Seif recounted the loss of her newborn child in 2024 during an electricity outage that affected an incubator. She also shared the tragic experience of losing her sister in 2025 due to delays in securing oxygen, a process hampered by power instability.
Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) attributes the frequent outages to an aging electricity network and a long, 500km feeder line that is prone to faults. UEDCL is reportedly working on installing new breakers and has proposed a dedicated power line for the hospital to mitigate these issues. However, the implementation hinges on funding and government approval.
Local leaders, including Iganga District Chairperson Isabirye Shabiru Kalulu, emphasize the urgent need for a dedicated power line, a concern that has been raised in Parliament. The hospital’s expansion in patient numbers from surrounding districts, coupled with its current status as a district facility with a limited budget, exacerbates the strain. Leaders also advocate for the hospital’s elevation to a regional referral status and increased funding for recurrent costs.
In addition to the power crisis, Iganga General Hospital grapples with a 35 percent staff shortage, overcrowding, dilapidated infrastructure, and a lack of essential equipment, including diagnostic tools and a functional blood bank. The hospital’s capacity is often exceeded, leading to patients sleeping on the floor, and a high patient-to-staff ratio.
This article is based on information from the Daily Monitor.