Angry residents of Kyaterekera Cell in Mubende Municipality staged a demonstration at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, demanding the reopening of a gate they say is vital for their livelihoods.
The protest followed the abrupt re-closure of the hospital's eastern gate, which had only recently been reopened after years of lobbying.
On April 13, 2025, district leaders, including Mubende Resident District Commissioner Al-Hajj Umar Lule Mawiya, several Members of Parliament, and hospital director Dr Emmanuel Batiibwe, ceremoniously reopened the gate.
The move was seen as a win for the local community, especially traders who had spent five years urging authorities to restore access. But their optimism was short-lived.
“Last time they opened the gate, they told us it would never be closed again. But it was only open for a few weeks and then locked. We want to know why,” said Nanyombi Julian, one of the demonstrators.
As frustrations mounted, chants of “Open our gate before we break it!” rang out from the crowd.
The community, especially traders who rely on access to the hospital to sell food and other goods to patients and their caregivers, said the closure has crippled their businesses.
“When this gate is locked, we don’t earn because we cannot access the hospital,” said one local vendor.
Filomera Birabwa, the councillor for Kyaterekera Ward and Speaker of the Eastern Division Council, warned of broader economic consequences if the closure persists.
“All houses here are empty. Landlords no longer earn. Some have even lost their properties to banks. We urge the hospital administration to reopen the gate so our people can earn a living,” she said.
Police, led by District Police Commander Martin Karekeezi, arrived to de-escalate tensions.
Addressing the crowd, Karekeezi asked for patience while investigations were made into the decision to lock the gate once more.
“I want you all to calm down as we seek clarification on why the gate was locked,” he told residents.
Later, the DPC led a delegation of community leaders and residents to meet with the hospital administration.
In the meeting, hospital director Dr Emmanuel Batiibwe assured them the gate would be reopened, but he also issued a warning.
“We are going to reopen the gate, but our people should be mindful. Someone recently entered the hospital with cows using that gate,” Batiibwe said, suggesting the need for proper control even as access is restored.
The standoff highlights ongoing tension between hospital security concerns and community demands for economic survival.
While a temporary resolution appears to have been reached, residents say they will remain watchful to ensure the reopening is not again reversed.