The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, and Members of Parliament from the Bunyoro sub-region have raised concern over persistent reports of extortion at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, where health workers are allegedly demanding money from patients before offering treatment.
The leaders claim that patients who fail to raise the required money are often neglected, with some reportedly dying while waiting for medical attention, including expectant mothers.
Barugahara has called for an immediate investigation into the allegations and appealed to President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to temporarily hand over the hospital's administration to the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) to restore order.
For several weeks, videos circulating on social media have shown patients and local leaders accusing some hospital staff of demanding money before providing medical services.
The allegations include charging patients for gloves, razor blades, beds and other basic medical supplies that should ordinarily be provided in a public health facility.
"I have seen these videos on social media. Medics are asking patients to buy razor blades and gloves, and people are being asked to pay to secure beds. You cannot shame us like this. If the hospital does not have medicines, then close it. Government hospitals are meant to serve the population," Barugahara said.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Hoima City, Nyakato Asinansi, who also serves as the Shadow Minister for Works, said leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about the situation, but their complaints were dismissed as politically motivated.
"It is good that even the Prime Minister and ministers are now concerned, but there is a serious problem at the hospital that requires urgent attention," Asinansi said.
Kikuube District Woman MP Florence Natumanya said many of her constituents have contacted her seeking financial assistance to enable their relatives receive treatment at the hospital.
"I get frustrated when my voters call asking for money. When I ask what the money is for, they tell me it is needed to pay nurses at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital so that their patients can be attended to," she said.
Barugahara warned that any staff found extorting patients would face severe consequences.
"The Prime Minister comes from this region and I also come from here. We cannot allow this nonsense to continue. I will personally visit the hospital, and I am certain several staff members will be arrested. Those found guilty of stealing from patients will face the law," he said.
The minister further proposed that the UPDF temporarily take over the hospital's administration for six months to restore discipline and improve service delivery.
"It appears the current administrators have failed. I am writing to President Museveni and the CDF requesting that UPDF officers manage this hospital for at least six months so that sanity can be restored," Barugahara said.
However, Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Godwin Angalia acknowledged that while extortion may be occurring, the government should also address the persistent shortage of medicines and medical supplies at regional referral hospitals.
"Extortion may indeed be happening, but we must also evaluate whether these hospitals receive adequate medicines and resources compared to the growing number of patients they serve," Angalia said.
Responding to the allegations, the Executive Director of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital said the administration remains committed to eliminating corruption but appealed to patients to report incidents directly to management instead of relying solely on social media.
He said the hospital has established suggestion boxes and maintains an open-door policy to enable patients and attendants to report misconduct.
"We are committed to fighting this vice, but it becomes difficult when people only report these cases on social media or to politicians without informing hospital management. We need the cooperation of patients and the public to identify those involved so that appropriate disciplinary action can be taken," he said.
The allegations have renewed concerns over corruption and service delivery in public health facilities, with leaders calling for swift government intervention to restore public confidence in Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.
