Uganda, UAE Break Ground for 100-Bed Specialized Hospital in Entebbe

UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan presiding over the ground breaking ceremony for the Emirates Specialty Hospital in Entebbe

Entebbe—Uganda is set to benefit from a new, state-of-the-art 100-bed specialized hospital in Entebbe, thanks to a partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Construction of the Emirates Specialized Hospital is scheduled to begin next month and is expected to be completed by May 2026, according to Dr. Diana Atwiine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Atwiine revealed that the facility will initially focus on eye care and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services, with future plans to expand into other specialties such as neurosurgery and maxillofacial surgery. “The construction of this hospital is starting next month, and it will be completed by May next year. This hospital is going to be concentrating on specialized areas of the eyes, the ENT and also along the way, we will also introduce other specialties, like neurosurgery, because we want to look at the head and neck,” she explained.

The hospital’s scope will eventually cover complex surgical procedures including spine surgery and other head and neck specialties. Dr. Atwiine expressed confidence that both the infrastructure and staffing will be ready for the hospital to become fully operational by July 1, 2027.

The Emirates Specialized Hospital is expected to greatly reduce the need for Ugandans to travel abroad for specialized medical care, particularly for procedures such as neurosurgery, spine surgery, and maxillofacial operations—services that have historically been limited in Uganda.

The new hospital marks a significant step forward in Uganda’s efforts to expand access to advanced healthcare and reduce the burden of medical tourism.