By Ben Musanje
A group of concerned medical staff at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya has petitioned the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, His Grace Rev. Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, seeking an independent investigation into what they describe as serious governance, financial management and patient safety failures at the Catholic-founded health facility.
In a petition dated June 10, 2026, and submitted anonymously for fear of professional repercussions, the staff members appealed to the Archbishop to intervene, arguing that the hospital’s mission of providing quality healthcare is increasingly being undermined by operational and management challenges.
The petitioners, who identify themselves as both employees of the hospital and members of the Catholic faithful under Kampala Archdiocese, said they were acting out of concern for patients, staff welfare and the Church’s healing mission, which they believe is at risk if the alleged shortcomings are not urgently addressed.
According to the petition, the current concerns are not entirely new. The staff members referenced a 2015 intervention by the Board of St. Raphael Hospital Nsambya, which reportedly separated the Office of the Secretary to the Board from hospital management after discovering alleged collusion and decision-making outside the Board’s mandate. They argue that similar governance risks have resurfaced since 2021.
The petition further points to what it describes as deteriorating financial accountability, noting that the hospital has reportedly received three qualified audit opinions within five years, with the most recent audit allegedly carrying an adverse opinion. The petitioners contend that these audit findings warrant urgent scrutiny by church authorities.
Among the most significant concerns raised is the hospital’s growing debt burden. According to the petition, in 2021 the hospital’s Board secured a loan worth Shs10.8 billion to clear inherited debts, including outstanding payments owed to specialist doctors and supplier arrears. At the time, management reportedly attributed financial underperformance to legacy obligations inherited from previous administrations.
However, the staff members allege that despite clearing those debts, the hospital has accumulated approximately Shs12 billion in recurrent expenditure debt within just two years. They argue that the rapid re-emergence of debt suggests weaknesses in current financial oversight rather than lingering effects of historical liabilities.
The petitioners also raise concerns about governance and procurement practices within the institution. They allege that there have been instances where management bypassed Board authority on budgetary and procurement decisions. Particular concern is expressed over what they describe as an unexplained increase in the cost of the Hospital Management System contract from Shs750 million to Shs1.5 billion.
The petition further alleges that the hospital purchased an ambulance worth Shs150 million that later proved faulty and that the procurement process did not follow established procedures. Staff members also question the continued retention of a Head of Procurement who was reportedly cited in a previous forensic audit.
While raising concerns about management, the petition acknowledges the role played by the Board under the leadership of Prof. Freddie Ssengooba and Vice Chairman Francis Xavier Lubanga. The petitioners contend that the Board was only alerted to the true extent of the hospital’s debt position toward the end of its tenure and allege that management led by Dr. Andrew Ssekitooleko (Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer) had not been accurately reporting the institution’s financial status.
Human resource and staff welfare concerns also feature prominently in the petition. The staff members allege that selected employees have received irregular salary increments and allowances while other workers continue to face difficult conditions. They further claim that staff housing and certain benefits have been allocated to individuals who are no longer actively serving the institution.
According to the petition, staff meals and basic workplace supplies have not been provided since 2016, a situation they say has negatively affected staff morale. The petitioners also allege that specialist doctors are owed more than Shs300 million in unpaid fees, creating growing frustration among medical professionals.
Perhaps the most alarming allegations concern patient safety and clinical care. The petition accuses the Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Gilbert Tumwine, of dismissing concerns raised by staff regarding shortages of gloves, which are considered a basic requirement for infection prevention and safe patient handling.
According to the petitioners, some nurses have resorted to purchasing and carrying their own gloves in order to continue treating patients. They further allege persistent stockouts of essential medicines, including amoxicillin and critical drugs required in intensive care units, operating theatres and oncology departments.
The staff members claim that shortages have reached levels that directly affect patient care. As an example, they cite a case in which a patient who had already been prepared for an emergency Caesarean section was reportedly referred to another facility after it was discovered that anaesthesia supplies were unavailable.
In their petition, the staff members have asked Archbishop Ssemogerere to commission an independent forensic and governance audit covering the period between 2021 and 2026. They want the review to specifically examine the hospital’s debt cycle, procurement practices, payroll management and availability of clinical supplies.
The petitioners have also requested interim measures to safeguard Board oversight and ensure continuity of patient care while any investigation is underway. Additionally, they are calling for accountability from the current management team regarding financial stewardship and clinical leadership, arguing that Catholic social teaching demands justice, dignity, transparency and responsible management of resources entrusted to the Church.
The petition states that supporting documents, including audit reports and staff grievances, are available for review should church authorities decide to pursue an investigation.
By the time of publication, St. Francis Hospital Nsambya management had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition. The Kampala Archdiocese had also not issued a formal statement regarding the matter.
The petitioners maintain that their appeal is made in good faith and is motivated by a desire to protect the integrity of one of Uganda’s leading Catholic health institutions. They argue that the faithful, patients and staff deserve assurance that Church-owned healthcare facilities are being managed with integrity, transparency, accountability and compassion. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
