MPs Slam Health Ministry Over Stalled X-ray Room Repairs in 20 Hospitals

Members of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) clashed with Health Ministry officials, including Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, over delays in refurbishing X-ray facilities across 20 hospitals. The issue stemmed from the ministry’s non-compliance with Section 60(6) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act, as detailed in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending December 2025.

The session, held on April 2, 2026, at Parliament, revealed the ministry’s failure to create a multi-year procurement plan for projects valued at Shs 3.43 billion. Despite absorbing 99.9% of its Shs 228.8 billion budget, only 36 of 51 planned outputs were fully achieved, leaving Shs 80.2 billion in partial or unexecuted activities.

Kassanda County North MP Patrick Nsamba criticized the reliance on Non-Tax Revenue from patient fees for X-ray and scans at regional hospitals, urging the government to budget for free access to align with Universal Health Coverage goals. Atwine noted central control over projections limits planning, using dialysis at Kiruddu Hospital as an example where patients pay Shs 150,000 per session after partial government subsidy.

Deputy Committee Chairperson Gorreth Namugga highlighted delays in immunisation funding for 14 diseases, with Atwine admitting late supplementary budgets from Finance disrupt implementation. MP Joseph Ssewungu questioned declining donor support and pushed for domestic solutions.

Atwine defended the gaps by citing e-GP system issues and committed to better tracking, multi-year planning, and corrective actions for the 2026/27 financial year.

Source: Parliament of Uganda