Hoima Hospital struggles with severe congestion after demolition of old wards
The Shs 33 billion construction project, which was to be undertaken by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) under a 2023 government contract, has stalled due to inadequate funding
HOIMA CITY, May 8, 2025 — Hoima Regional Referral Hospital is currently grappling with severe congestion in its remaining wards following the demolition of several old structures, initially intended to pave the way for the construction of a new maternal and paediatric complex.
The Shs 33 billion construction project, which was to be undertaken by the National Enterprise Corporation [NEC] under a 2023 government contract, has stalled due to inadequate funding. To date, only Shs 1.15 billion has been disbursed, far below what is required to begin meaningful construction.
The demolished structures previously housed the maternity, gynaecology, and paediatric wards. According to hospital sources, the absence of these facilities has forced the hospital management to reorganise services in already overstretched spaces.
“Due to lack of space following the demolition, the children’s ward was moved to the former antenatal building. Antenatal services were shifted to the immunisation building, and immunisation services are now conducted outside on the veranda,” a hospital source revealed.
The source added: “The labour ward is now in the accident and emergency unit. Gynaecology services are sharing space with the Eye Care Unit, the neonatal ward has been moved to the maternal waiting home, and that home is now squeezed into the Outpatient Department [OPD], where it shares space with postnatal services.”
The contract award and subsequent demolition took place during the tenure of Dr Sophia Namasopo, the hospital’s former director.
At the hospital, Jane Murungi, who was attending to a pregnant relative, described the situation as dire.
“The congestion is overwhelming. Mothers are being admitted on the floor. It was wrong for the hospital to approve the demolition of the old structures before securing full funding for the new ones,” she said. “The suffering is too much. The government must intervene and provide the necessary funds.”
Dr Ibrahim Bwanga, the current hospital director, confirmed the inadequacy of the current budget to support the ambitious project.
“The total project cost is Shs 33 billion, but we’ve only received Shs 1.15 billion, which remains untouched in the account. It was not misappropriated, as some allege. The contractor requires at least Shs 3 billion to begin the foundation,” he explained.
“We cannot authorise NEC to start work without a clear source of additional funds. Our entire hospital budget for the financial year is Shs 22 billion. If I sign off on the construction, I must be sure where the rest of the money will come from.”
Bwanga also acknowledged the ongoing space crisis at the hospital, which admits between 800 and 1,000 patients daily.
In a move to temporarily address the situation, the hospital recently received approval to use part of the Shs 1.15 billion to construct a general ward, aimed at alleviating congestion.
Badru Mugabi, the Resident City Commissioner of Hoima, attributed the delay in the complex’s construction to the lack of sufficient funding.
“The government had only released Shs 1.15 billion, which wasn’t enough to even lay the foundation. Because of increasing concerns over congestion, the hospital has been authorised to use part of that money to build a general ward,” he said.
He added that once adequate funds become available, construction of the four-storey maternal and paediatric complex would resume.
Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja, who recently visited the hospital, expressed concern over the conditions and urged hospital administrators to formally request support from her office. “I will follow up to ensure that the hospital receives the necessary funding to implement the project,” she pledged.
Hoima Regional Referral Hospital serves a large population across more than 10 local government areas, including Hoima City, Hoima District, Kikuube, Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kagadi, Kibaale, Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi, and Kiboga.
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