Health 3 April 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Parliament Urges Entebbe Hospital to Boost Mental Health Capacity to Ease Butabika Congestion
Uganda's Public Accounts Committee has directed Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital to enhance its mental health services amid rising patient numbers overwhelming Butabika National Referral Hospital. Lawmakers highlighted high depression and suicide rates, pushing for expanded infrastructure and staffing. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4381/expand-mental-health-unit-entebbe-hospital
The Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), chaired by Deputy Chairperson Hon. Gorreth Namugga, met with Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital officials on April 1, 2026, to address mental health challenges.
Legislators noted severe overcrowding at Butabika Hospital, driven by a 4.6% depression rate, rising suicides, and 22.9% mental illness among children. Lower-level facilities like Entebbe lack capacity, forcing referrals to the national hospital.
Entebbe Hospital currently manages 43 mental health outpatients daily with seven medical officers but has no space for inpatients. Director Dr. John Bosco Nsubuga emphasized the need for dedicated admission rooms.
MPs tasked the hospital to submit proposals for strengthening services, including infrastructure and staffing details like nurse-to-patient ratios. These will guide the 2026/2027 budget allocations.
The move aims to decentralize care and reduce strain on Butabika.
Source: Parliament of Uganda