Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital is under scrutiny after the Inspector General of Government carried out an impromptu visit and uncovered a series of service delivery failures, including idle medical equipment, alleged illegal charges and extreme congestion.
Aisha Naluzze Batala, the Inspectorate of Government, visited the hospital on Wednesday and identified multiple operational challenges affecting patients at the facility, which serves much of western Uganda.
Among the issues flagged was an ultrasound scan machine that has reportedly remained unused since June 2025.
The inspection team also found that the hospital’s digital X-ray unit was operating with expired films, forcing patients to take photographs of scan images with their mobile phones for doctors to interpret.
Deus Twesigye, the hospital’s Executive Director, acknowledged that the CT scan machine has not been functioning due to space constraints.
“The CT scan hasn't been functioning because of space. There are two rooms adjacent to the X-ray machine room but we couldn't use them as the council guided,” Dr. Twesigye said.
He added that when the ultrasound machine was delivered, trainers came in January this year to orient staff who would operate it.
“When we found we can not use these rooms, thats when we have been working around to purchase and use curtains. The ultrasound scan is now in the operational room of the Xray,” he said.
Savio Kakooza Ntensibe, Director of Ombudsman Affairs at the Inspectorate, said the available X-ray machine had a printer stocked with expired films.
“The available Xray machine has a printer with expired films and patients are asked to take pictures with their phones to take to the Doctors for interpretation and subsequent treatment,” Kakooza said.
He said the hospital director had been instructed to contact the Ministry of Health to address supply shortages and provide a “tangible solution so that our people can get services.”
Alleged illegal charges
The inspection also uncovered complaints from patients alleging that some staff were demanding money for services at the public hospital, which is mandated to provide free care.
According to Kakooza, medical officers were reportedly asking for payments ranging between Shs200,000 and Shs700,000 for services including MRI, CT scans and X-rays, without issuing receipts.
“We have identified those asking for money and given their names to the director, for appropriate action and we want feedback in less than a week. The medical officers ask for money ranging between Shs200,000 to Shs700,000 and issue no receipts,” he said.
Patients reportedly complained of paying such fees but waiting weeks without receiving treatment.
The Inspectorate also found severe overcrowding at the hospital, with some patients admitted on the floor, under beds and in tents outside the wards.
“While we did inspection in wards like emergency, we saw patients lying on the floor, some are in outside tents on the floor. There is alot of congestion here,” Kakooza said.
Dr. Twesigye acknowledged the congestion challenge, attributing it partly to patients who refuse to leave even after discharge.
“We sometimes admit under the beds, some patients refuse to leave even when we discharge them, they stay for reasons we have failed to understand. We do not give free food, unless they keep around for shelter,” he said.
Capacity strain
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital has an official inpatient bed capacity of 554 but handles an average of 660 admissions daily, placing sustained pressure on infrastructure, equipment and staff.
The Inspector General of Government’s office said it would follow up on the directives issued to hospital management, including action against staff implicated in illegal charges and engagement with the Ministry of Health to resolve equipment and supply gaps.
The findings add to ongoing national concerns about congestion and underfunding in Uganda’s public health facilities, even as referral hospitals continue to serve as critical lifelines for millions of citizens.
