Ankole Bishop’s visit to the sick prescribes vital solace with call to bolster Uganda’s healthcare

By Halson Kagure

Mbarara, Uganda: June 12, 2025, was a striking visit to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), a teaching affiliate of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the only regional referral hospital with a wide range of specialized and super-specialized services.

As the sun began its late-day decline, the hospital, which receives nearly 5,000 patients daily, buzzes with unusual activity.  The long-awaited historical pastoral visit by the Ankole Bishop Rt. Rev Assoc Prof Sheldon Mwesigwa had finally arrived.

Pulling up to the hospital’s junction, he was greeted by the sound of drums of Mbarara Police Band, ecstatic staff led by the Acting Hospital Director and Senior Consultant General Surgeon Dr Deus Twesigye.

In the guided tour, he was led to the newly established oxygen plant, which produces 100 m³ per hour, equivalent to 100,000 liters of oxygen per hour. Dr. Twesigye explained that the plant, built by the Government of Uganda to mitigate oxygen inefficiencies at the facility, is a filling station for all health facilities in the region.

At the radiology and imaging department, the Bishop and his clergy were impressed by the state-of-the-art equipment, including computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the only super-specialized medical imaging technique in the region used in creating detailed pictures of soft tissues. 

Upon arrival at the venue, where he was met with eager anticipation by waiting followers, the bishop tenderly provided spiritual care to patients. In a profound display of compassion, he confirmed scores of staff and patients, administered holy communion, and led many to give their lives to Jesus Christ.

Healthcare Bottlenecks in Sermon

His preaching centered around healthcare and economic empowerment, disease prevention, the spirit of discernment, and community involvement.  He noted that despite tremendous strides, Uganda’s healthcare system still faces numerous challenges, including inadequate funding and a high burden of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancers. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) says over 75% of the diseases that continue to wreak havoc on Ugandans are preventable through lifestyle changes and early interventions. Astonishingly, separate findings indicate that close to 80% of patients seek traditional healers’ attention before, during, or after visiting modern health facilities. 

For Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital case, the number of orthopedics or patients with bone problems whose cases have been mismanaged by the traditional bone healers is raising eyebrows, according to the Head of Orthopedic Surgery, Assoc Prof. Dan Kisitu. 

“Some are coaxed to believe that traditional healers can cure diseases that modern medicine can’t which is a challenge. But the truth is, many of these patients end up in our care when their conditions have become critical.”, he recently said.

Recalling a poignant moment when a believer, who was among the choir singing for him during a past pastoral visit, was later discovered to be struggling with high blood pressure, the bishop challenged medics to prioritize health education over drug prescription and surgical procedures.

The contrasting ironies author, described by many as a many-sided intellectual, recognized the importance of continuous health education, empowering communities to own their health.

This will, in the long run, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and out-of-pocket expenditure, estimated at about 88 billion shillings annually in a country whose health budget is still meager.

Over the years, Uganda’s healthcare envelope has remained below 8% far short of the 15% Abuja declaration target set in 2001, despite milestones in managing healthcare issues.

However, the developing nation, with nearly half of its 45 million people being youth, has made significant strides in healthcare.

The political will under the current regime, coupled with tailored interventions and donor support, has seen AIDS related deaths decline by 83% from approximately 100,000 annual deaths in the 1990s to 17,000 currently, although new infections remain a challenge. 

In some districts that make up Ankole, the prevalence rate exceeds the national average of 5.1%; for instance, Mbarara has a prevalence rate of 14%, Kiruhura at 9.5%, and Mbarara City at 8.1%. 

Nevertheless, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, a critical health facility serving beyond the catchment area of Ankole region, comprising of thirteen districts, has been setting a trend in the management of HIV/AIDS. 

This as recent data indicate a commendable success in viral load suppression, reaching an impressive rate of over 99% with support from donors through Ugandan government.

Gains in tough times, plea for sustained support

Reports suggest that the US government has been providing approximately $550 million annually to support Uganda’s Ministry of Health in various initiatives, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and global health security.

But, concerns linger following Trump’s recent aid termination, though government has responded with a historic healthcare budget increase to Uganda Shillings 5.87 trillion for the financial year 2025/2026 from Shs 2.946 trillion in the past fiscal year.

It is worth noting that at the peak of the pandemic which sent world economies on drip, government under the president’s strategic leadership with partner support sailed through tough times. 

Subsequently, Uganda’s president was recognized for effective fight against COVID-19, which resulted in remarkably low fatalities less than 4,000 despite global devastation. 

The aid cut freeze could pose a significant threat to the country’s preparedness and response capabilities in the event of future outbreaks. 

Under the leadership of workaholics, Dr. Diana Atwine, the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, and her Health Minister, Dr. Ruth Aceng, continue to work towards mitigating the vacuum, but more needs to be done. 

The Bishop expressed concerns that without significant action, Uganda’s progress in HIV/AIDS management could be watered down.  

The dwindling US funds, which have been supporting human resources, medicines, and sundries across major health facilities in the country, could potentially lead to abnormal infections and deaths as the Man of God calls upon his counterparts and the government to forge the way forward.

The Bishop was commended for his inspiring message with an appeal to continue advocating for the healthcare system. “We’re grateful for your spiritual guidance, My Lord Bishop, and we appeal to you to add your voice in advocating for the elevation of this hospital to a national referral hospital for the betterment of healthcare services”, Dr. Twesigye said. 

The Man of God’s message not only resonates with the hospital community and policy makers but left behind a raving to go community committed to saving more lives with a reminder that healthcare empowerment is a collective responsibility. 

About the Author: Halson Kagure is the Communications Professional and Public Relations Officer at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital passionate about advanced writing, health, and social issues.