Kawempe Hospital Downgrade Could Set Back Uganda’s Healthcare, Director Warns

Kampala, Uganda | The Executive Director of Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Byaruhanga Kayogoza, has raised concerns that any move to downgrade Kawempe Hospital to a district facility would undermine years of progress in Uganda’s healthcare system.

Dr. Kayogoza made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee during a session to review the 2024/25 Auditor General’s report.

He warned that reducing the hospital’s status could reverse gains in specialised care, worsen patient congestion, and compromise the quality of referral services.

He urged government to focus on upgrading lower-level health centres, particularly in Kisenyi and Kawala, so they can handle more cases locally.

According to Dr. Kayogoza, strengthening these facilities is crucial to decongest Kawempe Hospital and improve access to timely healthcare services across Kampala.

“Downgrading the hospital would be a backward step for Uganda’s healthcare system. Investments should instead be directed toward equipping nearby health centres to manage patient load effectively,” he told MPs.

Dr. Kayogoza also noted that while he had heard reports about the proposed downgrade, the hospital had not received any official communication.

He stressed that Kawempe Hospital continues to play a pivotal role in managing complex cases, particularly in maternal and child health, and serves as a referral point for thousands of patients from Kampala and surrounding districts.

Kawempe Hospital’s management emphasized that any downgrade without addressing the root causes of congestion such as under-resourced lower-level health facilities could compromise the national healthcare system’s efficiency.

They called on policymakers to prioritise capacity building at urban health centres while maintaining the hospital’s mandate and resources to provide specialised care.

The warning comes amid growing concern over urban hospital overcrowding, highlighting the need for strategic planning in strengthening Uganda’s public health infrastructure to meet rising patient demand.