Authorities have closed 17 private health facilities in Mukono District, including Mukono International Medical Centre, following a joint enforcement operation that uncovered alleged licensing irregularities and staffing concerns.
The inspection was led by Head of Health Quality Assurance Michael Mubiri Kayizzi, Christopher Birigi, the Director of Health for Kampala and the surrounding areas, and officials from the Mukono District Health Office.
At Mukono International Medical Center, inspectors alleged they found an individual identified as Deogratious Lowe working as a medical doctor despite lacking the required professional qualifications.
During the inspection, Lowe reportedly told the team that he was a medical student and had been working at the facility for the past two months.
Inspectors further alleged that the hospital had been relying on a government-employed doctor, identified only as Dr. Francis, to perform surgical and other medical procedures.
The inspection team said the findings warranted the immediate closure of the facility.
Hospital proprietor Bulya Kizito appealed to the authorities to reconsider the decision, saying the hospital serves workers from several factories and residents of the surrounding communities.
She asked for more time to address the shortcomings identified during the inspection.
“I ask you to give us time to put our house in order because this facility serves many people who depend on our services,” Kizito said.
Tension briefly flared at the facility after some staff members reportedly refused to vacate the premises and locked themselves inside the hospital.
Security personnel intervened, evacuated the occupants and facilitated the transfer of admitted patients to Mukono General Hospital before the premises were sealed.
Following the closure, the hospital management acknowledged that mistakes had been made but said they were unaware the facility's operating licence was allegedly not genuine.
Management said it had relied on documentation presented during previous inspections and pledged to cooperate with the authorities to rectify the situation.
The inspection team also visited several other private health facilities, including Migadde Family Clinic and Safe Way Clinic, where officials alleged they found unqualified personnel providing medical services.
In total, 17 health facilities were closed for allegedly operating without the required licences or failing to meet standards set by the health authorities.
Speaking after the operation, Michael Mubiri Kayizzi said the exercise was intended to protect the public from unsafe medical practices and ensure all health facilities comply with the country's regulatory requirements.
“Our responsibility is to safeguard the lives of Ugandans by ensuring that every health facility operates legally and meets the required standards of patient care. Every facility must have a valid operating licence and qualified health workers,” Kayizzi said.
Mukono District Health Officer Dr. Stephen Mulindwa welcomed the enforcement exercise, saying it would strengthen compliance within the private health sector and improve the quality of healthcare services in the district.
He said the district would intensify inspections to ensure that all private health facilities employ qualified medical personnel, maintain valid licences and comply with standards prescribed by the Ministry of Health and other regulatory bodies.
