Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 1,151
- 650
Uganda has 80 districts without a public hospital, leaving only 66 of the country's 146 districts with government hospital facilities, according to a statement presented to Parliament by Health minister Chris Baryomunsi.
The statement on the status of health service delivery, received by the Office of the Clerk to Parliament on October 15, indicates that Uganda has 72 public hospitals distributed across 66 districts, representing approximately 45 per cent district-level hospital coverage.
The figures raise questions about access to healthcare, particularly for residents who may need to travel outside their districts to receive hospital-level treatment.
Gaps in health facility coverage
The report also highlights gaps in the distribution of lower-level public health facilities across constituencies and sub-counties.
Of Uganda's 353 constituencies, 276 have either a functional Health Centre IV (HC IV) or a public hospital, representing 78 per cent coverage. The remaining 77 constituencies lack either facility.
However, coverage of constituencies with a functional HC IV or community hospital stands at 63 per cent, below the government's target of 65 per cent. The Ministry of Health says ongoing upgrades of some Health Centre IIIs to HC IVs or community hospitals are expected to improve access.
At the sub-county level, 1,553 of Uganda's 2,191 sub-counties have a public health facility at Health Centre III level or above. The remaining 638 sub-counties lack such facilities, leaving coverage at approximately 71 per cent.
The government expects the second phase of the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Programme (UGIFT 2) to support the construction of additional Health Centre IIIs in underserved areas.
What does this mean for Ugandans?
While Health Centre IIIs and IVs provide essential medical services, hospitals offer more advanced care for patients who require specialised treatment and referral services.
The absence of public hospitals in 80 districts raises questions about the distance patients must travel to access higher-level care and the additional transport and treatment costs they may face.
As the government continues upgrading health centres and planning new facilities, the challenge remains ensuring that these investments translate into timely and accessible healthcare for communities across the country.
What should the government prioritise to improve access to healthcare in districts without public hospitals?
