Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Saturday carried out an impromptu inspection of Kayunga and Mukono Hospitals following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to verify widespread claims of poor service delivery in the facilities.
Nabbanja confirmed that she would submit a detailed report to the President highlighting the urgent needs of the two hospitals, including increased funding, deployment of additional medical personnel, and infrastructural upgrades.
She noted that while Kayunga Referral Hospital was fully functional with an operating oxygen system and improved infrastructure, Mukono Hospital remained in dire need of intervention.
The Prime Minister also visited Seeta Namuganga Health Centre III, where she rallied residents to support the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the upcoming elections, saying it would ensure smoother communication and quicker government response to service delivery concerns.
However, Nabbanja’s tour sparked controversy after she ordered the arrest of journalist Mwesigwa David.
Mwesigwa had earlier asked President Museveni about overcrowding and faulty medical equipment at Mukono Hospital, prompting Nabbanja to accuse him of tarnishing the government’s image. She directed that he be detained, make a formal statement, apologise to the President, and retract his remarks.
Nabbanja, Uganda’s first female Prime Minister, has previously positioned herself as a champion of accountability in public service.
Her decision to criminalise a journalist’s question, however, has drawn sharp criticism from media freedom advocates who argue it undermines transparency and the very accountability she has pledged to uphold.