Health 7 September 2026 Nile Post
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Grapples with Mortuary Crisis
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital is critically lacking its own mortuary facilities, forcing a heavy reliance on an aging and overburdened pathology mortuary at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). This situation has led to significant public health concerns and logistical challenges for the region. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/369683/mbarara-regional-referral-hospital-lacks-its-own-mortuary-relies-on-small-must-facility
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital is facing a severe infrastructural deficit as it operates without its own dedicated mortuary. The hospital is currently dependent on the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) pathology mortuary, a facility that has struggled to keep pace with the growing demand from across the Western Region.
The MUST mortuary, established decades ago, possesses aging cold storage units that are frequently overwhelmed. Dr. Deus Twesigye, the Acting Hospital Director, confirmed to Nile Post that the hospital has no independent mortuary. “The mortuary we rely on belongs to Mbarara University of Science and Technology. It is a mortuary that got constructed when the university started. It is small. It has a few spaces in the fridges. Fridges are very very old,” he stated.
Despite repair efforts by the university, some equipment has deteriorated beyond functionality. The facility is not only handling hospital deaths but also bodies from various tragic circumstances, including accident victims and those found deceased in rivers or as a result of violence. This immense pressure leads to frequent breakdowns and a lack of adequate storage space, exacerbating hygiene and public health issues, as noted during a recent inspection by the State House Health Monitoring Unit.
Dr. Warren Naamara, head of the unit, expressed dismay at the situation, highlighting that the pathology facility serves as a catch-all for the region, with no dedicated city mortuary available. He noted the unbearable stench around the premises and raised concerns about potential extortion of grieving families due to the desperation caused by overcrowding. Both the city council and hospital leadership are urged to prioritize the establishment of modern, independent mortuaries to ensure dignity for the deceased and safeguard public health.