Entebbe Hospital. Photo by M. Ssebuyira
Residents of Entebbe will have to look for an alternative centre to access medical services following a takeover by State House Entebbe of the hospital. State House cited security reasons for taking over the hospital, which sits on a five-acre piece of land adjacent to the President’s residence.
The hospital, which serves an estimated 6,000 people, was built by British colonialists in 1904 and borders State House Entebbe gate.
Residents of Entebbe will have to look for an alternative centre to access medical services following a takeover by State House Entebbe of the hospital. State House cited security reasons for taking over the hospital, which sits on a five-acre piece of land adjacent to the President’s residence.
The hospital, which serves an estimated 6,000 people, was built by British colonialists in 1904 and borders State House Entebbe gate.
The government plans to turn the hospital into a health facility for State House staff and security personnel. The first attempt to take over the land came up in June when a medical officer Special Forces only identified as Major Mwesigye, approached local leaders in Entebbe, medical officers and hospital administrators proposing that State House takes over Entebbe ‘Grade A’ Hospital apparently used as a private wing.
Health ministry consent
Documents obtained by Sunday Monitor show that the Ministry of Health has consented to the takeover of the hospital and advised State House to request for the handover. “I wish to inform you that Ministry of Health agreed to handover Entebbe Grade A Hospital to the Special Forces at the time of completion of State House rehabilitation,” the letter dated August 22,signed by Dr. Asuman Lukwago, the acting PS Ministry of Health, reads in part.
Documents obtained by Sunday Monitor show that the Ministry of Health has consented to the takeover of the hospital and advised State House to request for the handover. “I wish to inform you that Ministry of Health agreed to handover Entebbe Grade A Hospital to the Special Forces at the time of completion of State House rehabilitation,” the letter dated August 22,signed by Dr. Asuman Lukwago, the acting PS Ministry of Health, reads in part.
It shows that the decision of the Ministry of Health is premised on the security concerns of State House and realising that Entebbe Hospital can be operationalised at one campus.
“We also advised that Grade ‘A’ should be run as a hospital and together with the Special Forces, the Ministry of Health will assist in designing the hospital for VIP handling,” Dr Lukwago said in a letter he copied to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Aronda Nyakayirima, Director General Health Services Dr Ruth Achieng , Special Forces commander Lt Col Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Entebbe hospital boss Dr Ben Ayeko.
Meeting held
During a special council meeting on Thursday, Katabi ward councillor Mr Frank Bayo tasked the Entebbe Resident District Commissioner, Ms Sarah Bananuka, to explain why State House doesn’t upgrade the hospital but think of taking it.
During a special council meeting on Thursday, Katabi ward councillor Mr Frank Bayo tasked the Entebbe Resident District Commissioner, Ms Sarah Bananuka, to explain why State House doesn’t upgrade the hospital but think of taking it.
“Why shouldn’t they upgrade the hospital and let poor people and soldiers use it if it’s not a ploy to grab the hospital land by an individual in State House?” Mr Bayo asked. Ms. Bananuka said that they will first upgrade Entebbe grade B hospital to accommodate both private and public wing before the proposal is implemented.
“It’s not an issue of land grabbling. Government wants to upgrade Entebbe grade B hospital to a referral hospital and after take over grade A,” Ms Bananuka said.
mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com
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