Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition, has asked the government of Uganda to explain what is unique about the international Specialized Hospital Lubowa, that they have denied Members of Parliament access to the site.

He made these remarks on the floor of Parliament, while asking the government to provide accountability for the Lubowa project on April 30, 2024.

He said that, despite the Ministry of Finance admitting that, so far, Ugx. 160.176 billion of Uganda’s taxpayers’ money has been sunk into the project, there has been no accountability for it.

“The Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi, said in one of his updates that Ugx160.176bn has been injected into the project, and the committee has since tried to access these premises, but they were denied access. Why can’t the government account for this project?” Ssenyonyi questioned.

Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of Parliament, asked the opposition to be patient and give the new contractor time. She also assured the house that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, visited the site and is preparing a report that will be available to the public soon.

“I requested the Deputy Speaker to go to Lubowa, and he went. He has a report to that effect. The contractor of Lubowa Hospital was changed, and we want to give him time,” the speaker said.

Among added that she has been in close contact with the Public Accounts Committee Chairperson, Muwanga Kivumbi, and they are giving the new contractor some time, to work at the site.

 The Lubowa International Specialized Hospital is being contracted by the Finasi-Ishu Construction SPV Limited. On Monday, April 15, 2024, the Public Accounts Committee was scheduled to visit the hospital premises, but the contractor called for its postponement to April 22, 2024, to give them more time to prepare.