The contractor behind the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda (ISHU) in Lubowa, FINASI/ISHU, has addressed the recent incident where opposition MPs were denied access to the project's construction site. The company attributes the decision to safety protocols, not an attempt to hinder oversight. According to FINASI/ISHU, visits to the active construction zone must be formally coordinated through the Ministry of Health to ensure proper safety and insurance arrangements.
The project site was officially handed over to the developer in June 2019, with an initial two-year construction period. However, the completion date has been repeatedly extended due to delays. Ministry of Finance records indicate that Shs 723.75 billion had been spent by December 2025. Opposition MPs now estimate the total government injection at about Shs 1.5 trillion. The project's progress and funding have been subjects of interest and scrutiny.
FINASI/ISHU received initial communication from Joel Ssenyonyi, Leader of Opposition, about the intended parliamentary visit on the afternoon of September 10. The company promptly notified the Ministry of Health, as project agreements stipulate that formal notification should come through the government ministry. However, no such notification had been received by the time the opposition delegation arrived at the site.
Charles Byaruhanga, chief operating officer of FINASI/ISHU, emphasized the company's understanding of the public interest in the multibillion-shilling project. He stressed that safety cannot be compromised, especially since the hospital remains an active construction site. All visits require advance confirmation of the names and number of visitors so that the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be prepared.
According to FINASI/ISHU, the company was not in a position to make the necessary safety preparations due to the lack of advance notification and visitor details. The company asserts that visits to the construction site must be formally communicated and coordinated through the Ministry of Health within reasonable timelines to allow safety arrangements to be made. This, the company claims, was not about preventing access or avoiding accountability.
FINASI/ISHU remains committed to facilitating properly coordinated visits once formal notification is received through the Ministry of Health and the necessary preparations are completed. The company prioritizes safety while also acknowledging the importance of transparency and oversight in the project. The incident highlights the balance between ensuring public interest and maintaining safety standards in large-scale construction projects.
The controversy surrounding the Lubowa hospital project continues to draw attention to the challenges and concerns associated with large-scale public investments. As the project's costs and delays mount, stakeholders, including government officials and the public, are keenly interested in the project's progress and the measures in place to ensure its successful completion. The project's developments will likely continue to be closely monitored.
Key points
- The contractor, FINASI/ISHU, cites safety protocols as the reason for denying opposition MPs access to the Lubowa hospital construction site.
- The project's completion date has been repeatedly extended, and the total government investment is estimated at around Shs 1.5 trillion.
- FINASI/ISHU remains open to facilitating properly coordinated visits to the site, emphasizing the importance of safety and transparency.
