Health workers at Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) hospitals in Uganda's capital, Kampala, have begun a six-day strike to push for better working conditions and payment of outstanding arrears. The strike, which started on September 22, 2026, was announced by the health workers' union, which expressed frustration over the government's failure to address their grievances. According to the union, the strike will affect services at all KCCA hospitals.
The health workers are demanding better pay and improved working conditions, citing the high cost of living and the risks they face while providing medical care. They also want the government to clear outstanding arrears, which they claim have not been paid for months. The union has warned that the strike will continue until their demands are met.
The strike has already started causing concern among patients and their families, who are worried about the impact on their health care. Many patients have been turned away from KCCA hospitals, which are now unable to provide emergency services. The situation has also raised concerns among health experts, who warn that the strike could lead to a surge in mortality rates.
The KCCA management has urged the striking health workers to return to work, citing the critical nature of their services. However, the union has vowed to continue with the strike until their demands are met. The government has not yet commented on the strike, but officials have been meeting with union leaders to try to resolve the impasse.
The strike by KCCA health workers is not the first of its kind in Uganda, where health workers have been on strike several times in recent years to demand better pay and working conditions. The situation has highlighted the challenges facing the country's health sector, which is struggling to provide adequate services to the population.
The Ugandan government has been working to improve the health sector, including increasing funding and recruiting more health workers. However, the progress has been slow, and health workers continue to face significant challenges, including low pay and inadequate equipment. The strike by KCCA health workers is likely to put further pressure on the government to address these issues.
As the strike continues, patients and their families are bearing the brunt of the situation. Many are worried about the impact on their health and are calling for a speedy resolution to the impasse. The health workers' union has urged its members to remain calm and united, saying that their demands are reasonable and that they will not back down until they are met.
Key points
- The strike by KCCA health workers is demanding better pay and improved working conditions.
- The strike has affected services at all KCCA hospitals in Kampala.
- The government has not yet commented on the strike.
