A report by the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation has faulted government for “dragging its feet” on the construction of the long-promised Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, which continues to operate in deteriorating infrastructure.

The committee chairperson, Hon. Abed Bwanika, said the hospital is serving a huge population under conditions that threaten both service delivery and safety.

“Soroti Hospital is relying on very old structures that have hampered not only service delivery but exposed the hospital to security risks, yet the facility serves over 10 districts with a population of more than two million people,” Bwanika said.

The report highlights the hospital’s lack of essential departments such as an Accident and Emergency Unit, a functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and congested operating theatres.

Bwanika presented the report during the plenary sitting held on Thursday, 07 August 2025 chaired by Speaker Anita Among.  He noted that while local leaders have shown commitment by securing land for the new hospital, government has remained silent.

“Soroti District Local Government and Soroti University offered 60 acres of land for the project. While part of the land has already been used to build a regional blood bank and staff housing, actual work on the hospital itself has not started. The facility serves as a training ground for medical interns, further stretching its capacity,” he said.

Bwanika blamed the Ministry of Health for delaying the formal land acquisition process from Soroti University, a key step before construction can begin.

Speaker Among said the hospital does not meet the standards of a regional referral facility and even struggles to maintain hygiene.

“We do not have a regional referral hospital in Soroti, maybe change the name, because when you are standing at the gate you feel the stench, because they lack trucks to remove garbage,” said Among adding, “Soroti Hospital cannot conduct major operations.”

Hon. Sarah Opendi, the Tororo District Woman MP, urged Parliament to prioritise Soroti Hospital in the next national budget, noting its strategic importance.

“The hospital has remained like a district hospital, yet recently we recognised their doctors who separated conjoined twins. But you look at the theatres they are operating in, you can shed tears,” Opendi said.

The Minister of Health, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, said her ministry is working on acquiring the land title for the new hospital but acknowledged that construction has no funding yet.

“Constructing a new hospital needs funding. We have asked the finance ministry to mobilise resources. Until they do, we are not able to construct the new hospital,” Aceng said.

“We have been having discussions with JICA [Japan International Cooperation Agency] to support Soroti and until they respond to us, we do not have answers,” she added.

The committee’s report also raises concern over Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese District, which remains in ruins five years after being destroyed by floods from River Nyamwamba.

Despite a government pledge of about Shs 2 billion, the report indicates that no progress has been made to rebuild the hospital, which used to serve over 50,000 people from six sub-counties in Kasese District.

Aceng clarified that government has taken a decision to halt construction of the hospital until an investor is procured to revamp Kilembe mines and when River Nyamwamba is properly desilted.