By KT Reporter
The recent deployment of Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) officers to man the gate of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH) has raised concerns among patients, attendants, and residents who find the military presence unusual and unsettling.
For the past two weeks, soldiers have been stationed at the hospital entrance, replacing the usual private security guards (Askaris). Uganda Radio Network (URN) visited the hospital on Tuesday morning and observed soldiers conducting thorough checks on everyone entering and leaving the facility, a measure that many say is causing inconvenience.
Robert Kugonza, a resident of Kiryatete suburb in Hoima city, recounted his experience of being stopped and having his bag searched before being allowed to attend to his brother who had been involved in an accident. He urged hospital management to publicly clarify the reasons behind deploying soldiers to the hospital.
Similarly, Doreen Katwesige from Kigorobya Town Council said the military presence was intimidating, deterring patients and visitors from seeking medical care, especially since no formal communication had been made by hospital authorities. “This is unusual for us. We are not used to soldiers being at health facilities. The management should explain why soldiers are here because many people are now afraid to come for treatment,” Katwesige said.
Christine Kyalisiima of Bujumbura West Division described her encounter with armed soldiers who stopped and searched her bag before entering the hospital, an experience she found alarming and inconvenient. Christine Akello from Masindi shared her frustration, saying it was challenging to navigate the hospital while her patient’s life was at stake, due to repeated security checks both upon entering and exiting the facility.
When contacted, Gloria Iyamet, the Hospital Administrator, explained that the deployment is a new security measure designed to curb increasing thefts of hospital equipment. She noted that several new medical devices had recently been acquired, requiring heightened protection.
Badru Mugabi, Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC), confirmed that the deployment was approved following a rise in thefts of hospital property, some allegedly involving hospital staff. He emphasized the hospital’s status as a strategic government installation requiring increased security.
“The Hoima city security committee intervened due to rampant theft of equipment and drugs. The deployment of soldiers is to support the existing local security team,” Mugabi explained.
Mugabi urged patients, attendants, and visitors not to fear the soldiers but to cooperate, as the move aims to strengthen security surveillance.
However, Peter Kyosaba, a resident of Hoima city, criticized the decision to deploy armed soldiers, arguing that competent local security guards and police should handle the hospital’s security needs rather than the military.
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