The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA), Rosette Byengoma, has called on the board and management of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) National Referral Hospital to “hit the ground running” as the institution prepares for commissioning and expansion into a world-class medical facility.
Byengoma made the remarks while closing a three-day retreat for board members and experts of the UPDF National Referral Hospital held at Serena–Kigo in Wakiso District from 25 to 27 May 2026.
The retreat was convened under the theme “Establishing a solid governance and management framework for efficient and sustainable service delivery at the UPDF NRH.”
In her closing remarks, Byengoma commended the board and management for organising the retreat, saying it had enabled participants to review and consolidate the governance framework intended to guide the hospital’s operations.
She described the exercise as a milestone in the evolution of the facility into a state-of-the-art institution envisioned by its founders.
Speaking on the planned expansion, Byengoma revealed that an additional Block E, dedicated to oncology and cardiology services, forms part of the hospital’s medium-term development plan.
“That the additional block (E), which is not yet started, for oncology and cardiology in the medium term, when funds allow, will achieve the ultimate goal,” she said.
She further noted that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is working to align the hospital’s governance structure with international best practices across all levels of healthcare delivery.
“As key stakeholders, the ministry is working to align the governance of the UPDF NRH with universal best practices of the hospital at all levels of care,” she said.
Byengoma added that the retreat was expected to produce a strengthened governance and accountability framework, alongside an implementation roadmap ahead of the commissioning of cancer services at the facility.
She also disclosed that the ministry is exploring a model in which the hospital operates “along the lines of a company limited by guarantee,” granting it operational autonomy to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Consultations on the proposed structure, she said, are ongoing with the Accountant General.
She urged participants to translate discussions into action, saying: “I call upon you that the retreat should renew your commitment to achieving key milestones and cause you all to ‘hit the ground running’ after the retreat.”
She also cautioned that newly approved policies should not be treated as routine paperwork but as foundational governance instruments requiring continuous review.
“They define the foundation and standards that will ensure strategic oversight and alignment of practice with global healthcare trends,” she said, adding that annual audits would be required to keep them relevant.
Board chairperson Francis Omaswa said the retreat enabled a detailed review of key governance instruments including manuals on procurement, finance, human resources, and strategic planning.
“These documents will be integrated and will be ready for final approval in the next board meeting in a few weeks’ time,” he said.
He added that the hospital’s mission, vision, and core values had been harmonised across all governance documents.
“The institution needs to be very well governed and ranked to the highest international standards,” he said, expressing optimism that the facility could compete regionally and internationally.
Chief Executive Officer Ronald Nangamba emphasised the importance of human resources in building a high-performing hospital system, noting that recruitment planning was already underway.
He said the retreat had focused heavily on policies aimed at attracting, motivating, and retaining skilled staff.
The UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya was established as the apex medical facility of the UPDF Health Services, serving military personnel, veterans, their families, and civilians.
Officials said the institution is expected to become a flagship healthcare centre with specialised services and international accreditation ambitions.
