Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, together with members of the Shadow Cabinet, was blocked by security from accessing the Lubowa Specialized Hospital construction site.
The legislators had visited the site as part of a scheduled oversight exercise to assess the progress of the controversial project and establish how far construction had progressed.
According to Ssenyonyi, the visit had been cleared by the Ministry of Health, which had directed the facility to grant the MPs access and facilitate their tour.
However, upon arrival, the legislators were reportedly stopped at the gate and denied entry into the construction site.
The development has raised fresh questions over accountability for the project, which Ssenyonyi said has so far consumed about Shs1.5 trillion in taxpayers’ money.
The Lubowa Specialized Hospital is intended to provide highly specialised medical services, including cancer treatment, organ-related treatment and care for other chronic and complex conditions.
The project had earlier been projected for completion by the end of this year. With only three months remaining before the close of 2026, however, Ssenyonyi questioned whether the hospital would meet the projected timeline.
Taking to social media after the failed visit, Ssenyonyi said the MPs had been denied access despite the Ministry of Health’s directive.
“Together with some MPs on the Shadow Cabinet, we this morning went to the construction site of Lubowa Specialized Hospital to conduct a scheduled oversight visit. Despite the Ministry of Health directing the facility to grant us access and facilitate the tour, we were denied access.”
Ssenyonyi further demanded accountability over the money invested in the project, arguing that authorities should investigate large-scale financial concerns just as they pursue cases involving smaller amounts.
“Shs1.5 trillion of taxpayers’ money has so far been injected into this project, but there’s no accountability for all this money,” he said.
He also noted that MPs in the previous Parliament had faced a similar restriction and claimed that even the then Minister of Health had been denied access to the facility.
“If Government is serious about the fight against corruption as we hear them say, they shouldn’t only go for those misappropriating small amounts. We want to see them also go after those who are failing to account for trillions of shillings,” Ssenyonyi added.
Together with some MPs on the Shadow Cabinet, we this morning went to the construction site of Lubowa Specialized Hospital to conduct a scheduled oversight visit. Despite the Ministry of Health directing the facility to grant us access and facilitate the tour, we were denied… pic.twitter.com/buEDDzUQEY
— Joel Ssenyonyi (@JoelSsenyonyi) September 16, 2026
