The Ministry of Health has commended the district for pioneering its Annual Health Assembly, describing the initiative as a unique platform for strengthening accountability, community engagement and coordination in the delivery of health services.
Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Moses Muwanga, made the remarks while representing the Ministry at the 2026 Wakiso Annual Health Assembly, held to review the district’s health sector performance for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The annual forum brings together health officials, political leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to assess performance, identify challenges and agree on actions to improve health service delivery.
Dr. Muwanga commended Wakiso for championing the initiative and encouraged the district to extend the same spirit of accountability to communities through the introduction of health barazas.
He said the proposed barazas would provide residents with a platform to directly raise concerns, share experiences and make recommendations on challenges affecting health service delivery.
“Wakiso is big and has the largest population with high health needs. You need to add a health baraza so that you can extensively collect community opinions, problems and recommendations,” he said.
Dr. Muwanga also called for stronger professionalism and accountability among health workers, urging them to avoid absenteeism, respect patients and work closely with political leaders.
He further urged health facilities to prominently display the Client Charter to enable patients understand their rights and encouraged facilities to integrate services by offering multiple screenings during a single visit, including screening for cancer and diabetes.
On medicines, Dr. Muwanga raised concern over poor prescribing and misuse of drugs, noting that inappropriate use contributes to medicine stock-outs.
The staffing situation was also highlighted as a major challenge. The Assistant District Health Officer, Ms. Betty Nabuganda, appealed to Government to address the district’s staffing gap and provide additional equipment to health facilities.
She noted that the district has only about four health workers for every ten required, despite serving a population of more than three million people that continues to grow.
The pressure on the district’s medicine supply was similarly highlighted. District Drug Inspector, Mr. Ronald Sserufusa, said funding for medicines has increased from Shs1.4 billion six years ago to Shs3.1 billion currently, but remains inadequate given the district’s population and growing health needs.
“It is like a drop in the ocean,” he said.
The district Vice Chairperson, Hon. Ssentalo Sinasio Musambwa, pledged to strengthen advocacy for the health sector and support efforts to address the challenges raised. He also revealed that plans were underway to advocate for hospital status for istrict.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Ms. Angel Namulimbe, pledged the support of the RDC’s office towards improving health service delivery while urging health workers to uphold professionalism, treat patients with dignity and refrain from asking patients for money.
Dr. Muwanga further urged political leaders, including the District Chairperson and councillors, to strengthen advocacy for better health services and promote the use of client feedback mechanisms.
He noted that technology-based systems, including barcode-enabled feedback, could allow patients’ concerns to reach the Ministry of Health directly and strengthen accountability in the health sector.
The 2026 Wakiso Annual Health Assembly was held under the theme:
“Collaboration, Accountability and Collective Resilience in Delivering Quality Health Care for Wakiso District.”