FINASI/ISHU has clarified the circumstances surrounding the recent proposed visit by Opposition Members of Parliament to the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda construction site, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement and the safe completion of the hospital.
Under the established coordination arrangements for the project spelt out in the Project Agreements, formal notification and coordination of visits to the construction site must come through the Ministry of Health. This enables FINASI/ISHU to make the necessary safety and security preparations for all Site Visitors in accordance with global Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards before access is granted. This also ensures that individuals are covered by insurance, in case of any unexpected accidents on site.
Initial communication from the Leader of Opposition regarding the intended Parliamentary visit was received on the afternoon of Thursday, 10 September, 2026. Ordinarily, notification of the site visit would have been made to Finasi/ISHU by the Ministry of
Health as the relevant Government representative. Accordingly, FINASI/ISHU promptly brought the matter to the Ministry of Health’s attention. However, formal notification from the Ministry had not been received before the delegation arrived.
As the Hospital remains an active construction site, all visits require advance confirmation of the names and number of visitors so that the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be prepared. As neither these details nor the formal Ministry notification had been received in advance, FINASI/ISHU was not in a position to make the necessary safety preparations to safely receive and guide the delegation through the site.
Speaking about the incident, Charles Byaruhanga, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We understand the public interest in the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda (ISHU) and remain committed to completing its construction and commencement of operations. However, visits to the construction site must be formally communicated and coordinated through the Ministry of Health within reasonable timelines to allow safety arrangements to be made. At the time the delegation arrived, FINASI/ISHU had not received the required formal notification from the Ministry and could therefore not complete the necessary safety and access arrangements. This was not about preventing access or avoiding accountability. FINASI/ISHU remains ready to facilitate properly coordinated visits once formal notification is received through the Ministry of Health in reasonable time, and the necessary preparations have been completed.”
FINASI/ISHU remains committed to cooperating with the Government of Uganda to safely complete the Hospital construction and commence the delivery of specialised healthcare services in Uganda.
