By Andrew Irumba
Fort Portal: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, has interdicted Dr. Alex Adaku, the director of Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (Buhinga), in the wake of public outcry following the controversial death of Moses Kigambo Araali. The celebrated cultural artist collapsed and died at the facility last week under circumstances that sparked outrage and accusations of gross negligence.
The scandal began on January 3, 2025, when Araali, a beloved figure in Tooro’s art and cultural circles, was rushed to Buhinga Hospital after collapsing. Family and eyewitness accounts allege that the staff ignored him, leaving him unattended to for hours despite his critical condition. Araali succumbed later that day, with the hospital reportedly making little effort to save his life.
News of Araali’s death quickly spread across Fort Portal City and the Tooro region, triggering an outpouring of anger from locals. Residents and local leaders accused the hospital administration of a longstanding culture of negligence, corruption, and extortion.
Community members came forward with disturbing accounts of mistreatment at Buhinga Hospital, including reports of pregnant women giving birth without assistance and patients being denied essential care unless they paid bribes. “People are dying every day, not because of their illnesses, but because of negligence and bad treatment,” said a local leader.
Public Outcry Intensifies
The death of Araali became a flash point for deep-seated frustrations with the public healthcare system. Residents demanded the immediate removal of Dr. Alex Adaku and other senior staff, calling for a thorough investigation into the hospital’s operations.
The pressure prompted the Ministry of Health to act swiftly. On January 10, 2025, Dr. Diana Atwine convened a stakeholders’ Dialogue on Health Service Delivery at the Booma Grounds in Fort Portal. The meeting, attended by local leaders, community members, and health sector stakeholders, provided a platform for residents to air their grievances.
Dr. Diana Atwine Intervenes
Responding to the widespread allegations, Dr. Atwine announced decisive measures to restore public trust and accountability at Buhinga Hospital. Chief among these actions was the immediate interdiction of Dr. Alex Adaku, who now faces investigations into his role in the hospital’s mismanagement.
“Accountability is non-negotiable,” Dr. Atwine said during the dialogue. “The welfare of patients must come first. Negligence, extortion, and corruption have no place in our healthcare system.”
Dr. Atwine acknowledged the systemic issues plaguing public healthcare, including absenteeism, poor disciplinary mechanisms, and entrenched malpractice. She emphasized the need for reforms to streamline accountability and replace underperforming staff with dedicated health workers.
Immediate Actions & Reforms
To address the crisis, the Ministry of Health announced several urgent measures:
- Leadership Interdiction: Dr. Adaku was relieved of his duties pending investigations.
- Staff Transfers: Several implicated health workers were transferred to other facilities.
- Accountability Measures: Investigations into negligence and extortion are underway, with disciplinary actions to follow.
“We must expedite reforms to ensure that tragedies like Araali’s death are never repeated,” Dr. Atwine said. She called for legislative changes to simplify the process of disciplining public servants and emphasized the recruitment of jobless but qualified health workers eager to serve.
Community Reactions
The announcement of Dr. Adaku’s interdiction was met with relief by residents of Fort Portal. However, many expressed skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of the measures. Local leaders urged the Ministry to fast-track reforms and ensure that the perpetrators of negligence and corruption are held accountable.
The Buhinga Hospital saga has shone a spotlight on the systemic failings of Uganda’s public healthcare system. Araali Kigambo’s death has become a symbol of the urgent need for reform and accountability.
Dr. Atwine’s decisive actions mark a critical step toward restoring trust in the healthcare system. As investigations continue, the people of Tooro and Uganda at large await meaningful change that will prioritize patient welfare and eliminate the malpractice that has plagued public hospitals for years.
