Following parliamentary approval of a USD20 million loan for the rehabilitation and expansion of Bugiri General Hospital, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi has issued a stern challenge to the government, demanding timely disbursement and full utilisation of the funds. He further called for a comprehensive overhaul of all health facilities across the nation.
The loan, authorised by Parliament on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, is sourced from the Arab Bank for Economic Development of Africa (BADEA) and is intended for the rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of the ‘very sick’ Bugiri hospital, as described by Ssenyonyi.
Speaking after the approval, Ssenyonyi voiced significant concerns about the government’s track record with borrowed funds and project implementation. “Parliament gave a green light for these USD20 Million to be gotten to rehabilitate Bugiri Hospital because that Hospital is very sick, that is for sure,” Ssenyonyi stated. “I am hoping that the excitement for the people of Bugiri will not be momentary. For many reasons. You know, many times, we borrow money and it remains undisbursed. I hope this won’t be the case because as of end of last year, in our country’s record books, we had UGX16.4 Trillion undisbursed loans.”
His remarks underscored a broader issue of financial accountability and project efficiency, highlighting the potential for much-needed funds to remain dormant while critical healthcare infrastructure deteriorates.
Beyond the immediate focus on Bugiri, the LoP broadened his demands, urging the government to undertake a “comprehensive check and conduct a complete overhaul on all health facilities in the country.” This call highlights systemic issues within the national healthcare infrastructure, suggesting that many other hospitals face similar, if not worse, conditions and are in dire need of intervention.
Ssenyonyi’s remarks came as several other legislators echoed similar sentiments, requesting that hospitals in their respective constituencies also receive much-needed rehabilitation and attention, mirroring the plans for Bugiri General Hospital. The collective call from Members of Parliament reflects a widespread concern over the state of public health facilities across Uganda.
The approval of the BADEA loan for Bugiri represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, but Ssenyonyi’s intervention underscores the critical need for accountability, efficient execution, and a broader strategic vision for improving Uganda’s health sector to ensure that the borrowed funds translate into tangible, lasting improvements for citizens.
