Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has allocated Shs18.2 billion for staff medical expenses in the 2025/26 financial year—exceeding the Shs17.756 billion set aside for Mulago National Referral Hospital’s specialised medical supplies. The disparity has sparked debate over healthcare funding priorities.
The issue came to light during a meeting between Parliament’s Health Committee and Mulago officials, led by Executive Director Dr. Rosemary Byanyima.
She warned that without at least Shs101 billion for specialised supplies, the hospital would continue requiring patients to buy their own medicines.
“We are introducing more specialised services that Ugandans are enjoying at lower costs, but they must buy some supplies because our budget cannot meet the demand,” Dr. Byanyima explained.
Mulago is also grappling with staffing shortages, particularly in its intensive care unit (ICU). The hospital requires Shs43.5 billion to recruit critical medical workers, but budget limitations have made hiring impossible.
“The wage limitation does not allow us to recruit. To fully operationalise the ICU, we need more staff, requiring an additional Shs43.598 billion,” Dr. Byanyima stated.
Beyond staffing, outdated medical equipment remains a pressing concern. Mulago is requesting Shs16.72 billion for new machines, as many of its current devices are over a decade old and frequently breaking down.
“We are using equipment acquired nearly 10 years ago, and due to high usage, some are failing. Maintenance costs are skyrocketing, and the technology is becoming obsolete,” she said.
Currently, only Shs4.3 billion is allocated for servicing and maintaining medical equipment, yet the hospital requires Shs13 billion to prevent costly breakdowns. Dr. Byanyima cited the MRI machine’s recent failure, which cost Shs3.5 billion to repair.
“If we lack funds for maintenance, we risk spending more on emergency repairs when equipment is already in bad shape,” she warned.
Meanwhile, Parliament’s Finance Committee questioned the URA’s Shs18.2 billion medical allocation, asking whether it includes insurance or if the agency operates its own clinics.
Mulago’s financial struggles have persisted for years. In the 2023/24 financial year, it received Shs19 billion for specialised supplies—already deemed inadequate—while its 2024/25 allocation has now dropped further.
The funding crisis threatens Uganda’s top national hospital, which serves thousands of patients annually. Without increased financial support, Mulago will continue to face shortages, outdated equipment, and an overburdened workforce, shifting more healthcare costs onto patients.
