The government wrote off UGX 316.65 billion worth of COVID-19 vaccines, ARVs, and test kits in the last financial year, a drastic increase from UGX 33 billion written off in the previous year, according to Auditor General Edward Akol. Akol revealed this during the handover of the 2023/2024 financial year audit report to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa.
“In the health sector, there are substantial challenges with the expiration of medical supplies. This represents a significant waste of resources that could have addressed other pressing health needs,” Akol stated.
He also highlighted the dire state of Uganda’s healthcare facilities, noting that only 15 of the 27 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds at Mulago National Referral Hospital are operational, representing just 56% of capacity. The issue is compounded by staff shortages and critical equipment in several hospitals lying idle due to a lack of trained personnel.
Akol further revealed that the Ministry of Health’s Health Infrastructure Department, which requires UGX 20 billion annually for equipment maintenance, only received UGX 1.8 billion.
On budgetary performance, the Auditor General reported that the government’s planned expenditure for the financial year was revised from UGX 52.7 trillion to UGX 61.7 trillion, including UGX 8.9 trillion in supplementary budgets. However, of the warranted UGX 54.3 trillion, only UGX 47 trillion was spent, leaving an unfunded gap of UGX 7.1 trillion.
Akol expressed concern over the low absorption of funds, warning that this underutilization is hampering service delivery across government institutions and further aggravating systemic challenges in healthcare and other critical sectors.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health received UGX 216.017 billion out of its approved UGX 242.543 billion budget for the last financial year, resulting in significant gaps in critical areas such as staff salaries, medical supply procurement, and upgrades to 43 health centers.
Among the most pressing concerns is the abandonment of vital projects, including the construction of 12 regional ambulance hubs and hospitals in Rubaga Division and Wakiso District. Additionally, the country faces a dire shortage of ambulances, with only 240 vehicles available nationwide. This has forced many districts to depend on Members of Parliament’s personal vehicles for emergency transportation.
These budgetary shortfalls and their resulting challenges highlight the urgent need for increased funding and efficient allocation to address the growing demands on Uganda’s healthcare system.