The Uganda Heart Institute has officially begun constructing a state-of-the-art, 250-bed facility to expand cardiac care in the country.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng urged the contractors, Arab Contractors, to work diligently, emphasizing that the facility is a key national deliverable as Uganda prepares for the 2026 General Elections.
Dr. Aceng highlighted that the new facility will house a specialized hospital equipped with cardiac catheterization laboratories, operating theatres, patient wards, and a heart disease research center. The project is expected to be completed within two years.
According to Dr. John Omagino, Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, the facility will be built on ten acres of land using $70 million in loans from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Saudi Fund for Development.
However, the construction project previously faced delays due to a land ownership dispute. In 2022, Tendo Investment claimed ownership of the land and presented a title deed. Dr. Omagino revealed that it took President Yoweri Museveni’s intervention to resolve the matter, securing the land for the institute.
While the facility is slated for completion in 2027, Dr. Omagino stated that an additional year will be dedicated to monitoring the construction quality before officially launching operations.
At the ceremony, Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, expressed concern over the rising prevalence of heart disease in Uganda. She stressed that while the new facility will significantly increase treatment capacity, there is a pressing need for stronger prevention strategies.
“Treating heart disease is extremely expensive, yet it can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes. We must prioritize prevention alongside expanding treatment options,” Dr. Atwine said.
The facility is expected to enhance Uganda’s capacity to manage heart disease and strengthen cardiac care services for the region.