Health 8 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Hospital Administrators Battle Low Pay, Arrest Fears, and Internal Divisions
Hospital administrators in Uganda are grappling with a multitude of challenges including inadequate salaries, the constant threat of arbitrary arrests, and the disruptive influence of internal cliques, all while managing the nation's healthcare system. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/hospital-administrators-decry-low-pay-arrests-cliques-5452224
Hospital administrators across Uganda are voicing significant concerns about their working conditions, revealing a deeply troubled healthcare system. Meeting in Lira City for their Annual General Meeting, members of the Uganda National Association of Hospital Administrators (UNAHA) highlighted critical issues ranging from disproportionately low pay to the constant fear of unjust arrests and the corrosive effects of internal factions.
“We are taken as less,” stated Robert Mpange, principal hospital administrator at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, lamenting that their remuneration does not match their extensive qualifications and responsibilities. He pointed out that a nurse with a certificate often earns more than a principal administrator who holds a first and second degree, coupled with years of experience.
Adding to their distress are arbitrary arrests and perceived humiliation, which Walter Oryek-wun, principal hospital administrator at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, described as a growing trend used for political optics rather than genuine legal infractions. This environment, he explained, undermines their roles as government officers and diminishes their sense of appreciation.
Michael Odur, Kabale principal hospital administrator, also raised concerns about “cliques” forming around specific officials, which he believes creates unnecessary workplace stress and hinders collective productivity. These divisions, he noted, can lead to significant mental strain.
Recognizing their vital role, Lira City Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole emphasized that administrators are crucial for the functioning of healthcare, managing the essential systems that support clinical work. He stressed that effective planning, budgeting, and oversight are as critical as direct patient care.
To address some of these systemic issues, a new meeting protocol has been established involving joint sessions between directors, nursing officers, and administrators to tackle shared challenges. Future budget allocations are set to be determined by population size, performance metrics, and absorption rates, moving away from past practices of “budget games.”