Wakiso District is poised to become the home of the largest dialysis center in the nation, courtesy of the newly inaugurated John William Kiggundu (JWK) International Hospital.
Situated in the heart of Kakiri Town along the Kampala-Hoima Road, this 50-bed hospital initially features three dialysis machines, with plans to expand to a total of ten.
Over a five-year timeframe, as revealed by Dr. Henry Lukwago, the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, the facility aims to grow to accommodate 150 beds and provide services specifically designed to cater to the low-income population in the vicinity.
However, the 2-billion-shilling facility was opened without its ambulances and essential equipment, which were held by the Uganda Revenue Authority for tax-related reasons. Dr. Lukwago expressed his bewilderment at being compelled to pay taxes on medical equipment, despite regulations indicating otherwise, and he cited bureaucratic hurdles within government agencies.
He appealed to the government and other partners to join forces in expanding this significant project.
Dr. Lukwago also voiced disappointment in local government officials and electricity authorities for their reluctance to facilitate infrastructure improvements to enhance the hospital’s operations.
He wanted to privately fund the repair of the road from the main Hoima Highway to the hospital, a mere 100 meters in distance. However, when the district offered to undertake the road repair, authorities provided a quotation of up to 11 million Shillings, totaling 15 million with additional costs – a sum significantly higher than what private contractors would have charged.
Furthermore, the facility required a two-phase electricity supply line, but despite Dr. Lukwago’s pleas, neither the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development nor its agencies offered assistance, instead demanding 83 million Shillings, a figure he considered excessive compared to a level playing field.
Michael Karangwa, a health consultant with the World Bank and USAID, expressed sympathy for Dr. Lukwago’s predicament. He emphasized the potential of this investment to benefit the people and the country at large, and called upon the government not to withhold the incentives necessary to uplift such community-oriented ventures.
Medical equipment and related items, such as vehicle and boat ambulances, are legally exempt from all taxes under the fifth schedule of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, including customs and VAT.
State Minister for Industry, David Bahati, who officially inaugurated the hospital on behalf of Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, acknowledged the authorities’ errors concerning taxes, electricity, and road issues. He pledged to ensure the hospital receives all the necessary support from the government, including the immediate release of the three ambulances by the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Bahati also commended the investor, who had previously worked in the US, for undertaking this venture with the primary aim of serving the nation, rather than pursuing profits. He encouraged the hospital to focus on addressing non-communicable diseases, mental health, and child mortality.
The minister specifically noted that the dialysis department is one of the largest in the country, and he emphasized that the facility would greatly reduce the need for people to seek medical services abroad.
JWK International Hospital is part of a series of investments in Uganda and the US within the fields of healthcare, home care services, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality, all under Dr. Lukwago’s larger organization, Angels Mission Home Care Services, based in the US.
The hospital is named after his father, John William Kiggundu, who is now 97 years old.