Mulago hospital refutes claims by justice Mulyagonja over lack of medication

Mulago national referral hospital has dismissed claims by Court of Appeal/Constitutional court judge, Irene Mulyagonja, that the facility lacks basic medicines and sundries, calling it “just a monument.”

Speaking on Monday in now a viral social media video, Mulyagonja alleged that Mulago failed to provide her late husband, John Baptist Kakooza, with essential supplies such as insulin and nasogastric tubes, which are used to feed patients who cannot feed themselves.

In a press conference on Friday, Mulago hospital’s executive director, Dr Rosemary Byanyima, confirmed that Kakooza was admitted to the hospital’s private wing on April 9, 2025, three days after he had reportedly refused to eat or take medication.

However, she refuted claims of unavailability of medical supplies, saying it was the patient’s attendant who initially rejected the nasogastric (NG) tube procedure.

“Insulin for emergencies is kept in a central place at the medical emergency unit and when it was prescribed on 6B for this patient, the nurse on duty accompanied by the attendant then, who, was the son of the deceased went together to the medical emergency unit and secured the insulin and it was administered to the patient. This is actually recorded on file that the insulin was administered,” said Byanyima.

She further explained that it took six days before the family consented to the insertion of the NG tube, by which time the patient’s condition had begun to deteriorate despite receiving intravenous fluids and other treatments.

“The empirical treatment which we initially instituted included passing an oesophageal tube, which would enable us to feed him and also administer the oral medication. But unfortunately, the attendant rejected the introduction of an NG tube at that time until on the 15th of April, six days later, when they’d agreed that we pass that NG tube. This was documented on file because when we want to administer medication and either the patient or attendant refuses, we document it on file. Failure of course, to administer that NG tube to feed the patient and relying on intravenous feeding, the patient was deteriorating,” Byanyima noted.

Kakooza, a prominent lawyer and Democratic Party (DP) stalwart, passed away on May 17, 2025, after battling multiple illnesses. Justice Mulyagonja stated in the video that the family had initially sought care at several health facilities, including the private Nsambya hospital, but later transferred to Mulago due to mounting medical bills.

Kakooza eventually died at Mukwaya General Hospital. Dr Byanyima said Kakooza was discharged from Mulago in improved condition on May 6 and had been scheduled for a review on May 20.

She expressed surprise at Mulyagonja’s video, describing the allegations as unfounded. Mulyagonja’s comments echo broader concerns raised by health sector observers regarding systemic issues, including poor service delivery and high out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Ironically, in a 2019 petition challenging the government’s decision to allocate US$379.71 million in promissory notes to an Italian investor for constructing Lubowa hospital, Mulyagonja in 2024 ruled in favour of the government’s discretion in budget allocation, stating it was not for taxpayers to decide.

While Mulago hospital does face ongoing challenges including occasional drug stock-outs, Byanyima emphasized that insulin is always in stock and was administered in this case.

“Recently, when we were before the health committee of parliament presenting our budget requirement, we intimated the gaps we have in the staffing levels. So we requested government to give us more money such that we can recruit more staff. We have gaps also in medicines and sundries, and we presented a budget. The funding is slightly below 30% of what we would require,” she said.

“But you know what was painful in this incident are the allegations that some of the items were not available yet they were but truthfully, we still need more financing so that we can recruit more staff and improve on our patient-to-nurse ratio and have more specialists on board,” said Byanyima.

To date, Uganda’s national referral facility continues to operate under budgetary constraints, and hospital management has consistently petitioned parliament for increased resources to address shortages in personnel, equipment, and medication.