Mulago's Mess Is Killing Ugandan's, Says Judge

A Ugandan judge spoke out against her country's broken healthcare system at her husband's funeral. Justice Irene Mulyagonja told mourners how she and her husband moved between four different hospitals over two months. Her husband, John Baptist Kakooza, died after struggling to find proper medical care. She called their experience hospital tourism. The judge stated that the system had failed them badly.

Kakooza needed basic medical supplies that hospitals could not provide. Mulago Hospital lacked insulin shots and feeding tubes for patients. Staff kept promising help but never delivered the needed equipment. The couple visited multiple medical centers in search of affordable treatment. Even the private wing at Uganda's main hospital could not meet basic patient needs.

Another family faced similar problems when their relative suffered a head injury. Emergency doctors at Mulago were not ready for the patient despite advance notice. The intensive care unit was full and had no running water. The family took their loved one to a different hospital for life-saving surgery.

Government officials admit they will never die in public hospitals like ordinary citizens. They can call for special flights to American medical centers when needed. Regular Ugandans must survive with whatever care local hospitals can offer.