Senior leadership of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has carried out a detailed inspection of the soon-to-be-commissioned UPDF National Referral and Teaching Hospital in Mbuya. The visit focused on assessing the progress of construction and the installation of medical equipment.
The inspection was led by Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, who encouraged officers to actively engage with the process. “This meeting is meant for all of you to examine the facility and understand the stage of construction and equipment installation,” he stated.
Col Dr Ambrose Oiko emphasized the hospital’s critical role in reducing the UPDF’s dependency on foreign medical referrals, which have placed considerable pressure on the force’s healthcare budget. He noted that strategic partnerships with local and international institutions have helped shape efficient staffing models for the facility.
To bolster the hospital’s human resource capacity, 232 uniformed health professionals are currently undergoing advanced training at PhD, fellowship, master’s, and diploma levels, supported by collaborations with institutions in Turkey and specialized medical centers in India.
Mr. Ezra Nayoga, a representative of the consulting firm overseeing the hospital’s development, reported that the structural work is complete, with only minor final touches remaining.
The hospital is expected to become a premier medical institution, offering super-specialised healthcare services to both local and international patients, including high-level dignitaries.
The inspection was attended by UPDF Service Chiefs of Staff, members of the Joint Staff, and other senior officers.
