MPs Commend UPDF for Cost-Effective Infrastructure Development

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs have expressed satisfaction with the efficiency and cost-effectiveness demonstrated by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) in executing major infrastructure projects. Following an inspection of the UPDF National Referral Hospital and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, legislators called for the UPDF’s construction and cost-management strategies to be emulated across other government initiatives.

The committee chairperson, Robinah Rwakoojo, highlighted the impressive progress at the 375-bed UPDF National Referral Hospital, noting that specialized medical services, including cancer screening, are already operational for both military personnel and civilians. “We are satisfied with the progress we have seen,” stated Ms. Rwakoojo, emphasizing the committee’s commitment to ongoing project oversight.

Shamim Malende, Kampala District Woman MP, pointed out that these projects offer valuable lessons for other government agencies on achieving value for money by investing in in-house capacity and equipment. She advocated for the government to prioritize acquiring its own specialized machinery rather than relying on costly rentals, which can lead to project delays and inflated costs.

“If government invests in its own specialised equipment, we can reduce the costs associated with hiring and also improve the speed at which projects are delivered,” Ms. Malende remarked. She also noted the hospital’s potential to alleviate the financial strain of overseas medical referrals for specialized treatments.

Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka confirmed that the hospital was constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade using operational savings, with medical services managed by the UPDF Joint Staff Health Services. The MoDVA headquarters, a Shs94 billion project, is nearing completion at over 87 percent, with the ministry anticipating occupancy by year-end.

These projects serve as a practical demonstration of how institutional capacity can be leveraged to deliver large-scale public investments effectively, ultimately aiming to enhance access to specialized healthcare and reduce the burden of medical referrals. The UPDF National Referral Hospital is expected to significantly broaden access to super-specialized medical services within the country.

Read more on this story from the Daily Monitor: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mps-hail-updf-on-value-for-money-infrastructure-projects-5615426