Kampala, Uganda | The Executive Director of Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Dr. Charles Kabugo has raised concerns over the rising burden of kidney disease in Uganda, calling for increased government investment in kidney transplant services. He made the revelations on 16th March 2026 while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.
Dr. Kabugo noted that conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which can lead to kidney failure, are largely influenced by diet. He highlighted findings from the Ministry of Agriculture indicating that common foods in Ugandan markets, including groundnuts and beans, are contaminated with aflatoxins, substances that cannot be destroyed by boiling or frying and are linked to liver cancer.
The discussion followed questions from Fredrick Angura (Tororo South Legislator) about reports that India and China had discovered a cure for diabetes. Dr. Kabugo emphasized that there is no simple cure, as diabetes and hypertension can cause kidney damage over time, necessitating continuous medical care.
The concerns also tied into findings by the Auditor General, Edward Akol, who warned that chronic kidney disease represents a growing public health challenge and places a heavy financial burden on government resources. Akol noted that while dialysis appears cheaper in the short term, kidney transplantation is a one-time expense that could be more sustainable in the long term.
Dr. Kabugo, however, clarified that patients do not choose between dialysis and transplant. He explained that dialysis serves as a bridge to kidney transplant, keeping patients alive while they await donor matching and preparation for surgery. He also highlighted its critical role for patients with acute kidney injury, including mothers who experience complications after childbirth, accident victims, and patients with severe infections.
On the cost of treatment, Dr. Kabugo noted that private dialysis sessions cost between UGX 400,000 and UGX 500,000 per session. Government-subsidized sessions at Kiruddu Hospital cost UGX 60,000, but repeated treatments and accompanying medications make long-term care prohibitively expensive for most patients, with monthly expenses reaching about UGX 5 million.
In addition, Dr. Kabugo called for a dedicated burns hospital near Uganda’s oil production areas, citing the increased risk of fire-related injuries associated with oil exploration. He warned that Kiruddu Hospital would not have the capacity to handle mass casualties should industrial accidents occur.
The Public Accounts Committee, led by Vice Chairperson Gorreth Namugga, acknowledged the challenges highlighted by Dr. Kabugo, noting the urgent need for government interventions to reduce both the medical and financial burden of chronic kidney disease in the country.
