The Ugandan parliament has directed the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the International Specialised Hospital of Uganda project in Lubowa. This decision was made during a plenary sitting on Wednesday, following concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi. He highlighted that the government has committed approximately Shs1.5 trillion to the project, yet parliament has been repeatedly denied access to assess the progress of the works.
Ssenyonyi expressed concerns about parliament's inability to inspect the project, emphasizing the need for an audit. He noted that the project was last audited by the Auditor General in 2022. In response, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth stated that parliament must exercise its oversight mandate, particularly where public resources are involved. He directed that the Leader of the Opposition and his team be granted access to the site.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi informed parliament that he had been made aware of provisions in the contract governing the project that restrict access to the construction site. He mentioned that he had requested reconsideration of these terms to facilitate parliamentary oversight. The Minister also expressed surprise when MPs were denied entry during their most recent attempted visit, despite having communicated with the project authorities.
Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng acknowledged that the project has experienced delays but noted that construction has reached about 70 percent completion. She added that training of specialists and procurement of medical equipment are ongoing. The Lubowa hospital project, which commenced in 2019, has missed several completion deadlines, with the latest target set for December 2026.
The facility is intended to provide specialised services, including cancer treatment, organ transplantation, and cardiac, lung, and kidney surgery. Speaker Oboth emphasized the importance of parliamentary oversight, stating that he would personally lead a parliamentary delegation to the site if access continued to be denied. This move aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public resources for the project.
The audit directive comes amid concerns over the project's progress and funding. With a significant amount of public funds committed to the project, there is a growing need for transparency and accountability. The Auditor General's report is expected to shed light on the project's status and identify any potential issues that need to be addressed.
The Lubowa hospital project is a significant investment in Uganda's healthcare infrastructure. Once completed, it is expected to provide much-needed specialised services to the Ugandan population. Key stakeholders, including parliament and the Ministry of Health, are working to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget, with a focus on delivering quality healthcare services to the public.
Key points
- The Ugandan parliament has ordered an audit of the Lubowa Hospital project due to concerns over delays, funding, and restricted access to the construction site.
- The project, which began in 2019, has missed several completion deadlines, with the latest target set for December 2026.
- The facility is intended to provide specialised services, including cancer treatment, organ transplantation, and cardiac, lung, and kidney surgery.
