Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi and members of the opposition Shadow Cabinet were reportedly denied access to the International Specialised Hospital of Uganda (ISHU) construction site in Lubowa during an oversight visit on Wednesday.
The legislators had travelled to the site to assess the progress of construction and examine issues surrounding the long-delayed hospital project.
According to reports, the MPs had obtained clearance from the Ministry of Health to conduct the visit. However, upon arrival, they reportedly found the main gate locked and were unable to enter the premises.
The incident has renewed concerns about parliamentary access to major public projects and the ability of legislators to carry out their constitutional oversight responsibilities.
The Lubowa hospital has been the subject of parliamentary scrutiny for several years because of its financing, construction delays and changing completion deadlines. Parliament’s own records show that MPs had previously faced difficulties accessing the project site for inspection.
The hospital is being developed under a public-private partnership involving Finasi-ISHU Construction SPV. The project was initially expected to be completed in 2021, but the deadline has been repeatedly revised.
Government statements in 2026 have also given different timelines. In June, the government said the project was about 75 percent complete and projected completion for December 2027. Earlier statements had targeted completion by the end of 2026.
Financial concerns have also remained part of the debate. The government committed about US$379 million, equivalent to roughly Shs1.4 trillion, to the project. By December 2025, Parliament was told that about US$209.1 million, approximately Shs723.75 billion, had been spent through promissory notes, with additional commitments still outstanding.
The latest dispute over access is therefore likely to attract further parliamentary attention as legislators seek clarification on the status of the hospital, its financing and the remaining construction work.
The Lubowa facility is intended to provide advanced specialised medical services and reduce the need for Ugandans to travel abroad for treatment once completed and fully operational.
