Gov’t Warns Heart Specialists Over Moonlighting as UHI Board Takes Office

Heart specialists who continue to work in multiple health facilities despite receiving enhanced government salaries could soon face disciplinary action, State Minister for Health in charge of General Duties Anifa Bangirana has warned. Bangirana said President Yoweri Museveni is dissatisfied with the continued practice of moonlighting by medical specialists, saying it undermines efficiency in public health facilities despite government efforts to improve their welfare.

Speaking after presiding over the swearing-in of the new nine-member Board of the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) on Wednesday, the minister said the President’s current term is focused on improving service delivery under the “no sleep” mantra and that absenteeism and divided attention among specialists will not be tolerated. She said government expects the Uganda Heart Institute to significantly reduce the number of Ugandans seeking specialised cardiac treatment abroad, noting that many procedures that previously required overseas referral can now be performed within the country.

Bangirana urged the new board to focus on improving governance and delivering quality services rather than engaging in internal disputes. She said the diverse expertise represented on the board should help strengthen decision-making and improve service delivery through consensus. The newly inaugurated board is chaired by Dr. James Magara, who begins his second term at the helm. 

Other members include Uganda Heart Institute Executive Director Dr. John Omagino, Mulago National Referral Hospital Executive Director Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, Joseph Mutasaga representing the National Drug Authority, Dr. Charles Akiya Oyoo, Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Rose Mutyabule from the Uganda Heart Foundation, Dr. Henry Ddungu of the Uganda Cancer Institute, and Prof. Grace Ndeezi of Makerere University.

Speaking after the inauguration, Dr. Magara said one of the board’s immediate priorities is ensuring timely completion of the new Uganda Heart Institute complex at Naguru. He said construction of the 250-bed specialised cardiac facility had reached about 50 percent as of last week and is expected to be completed by June 2027. Magara also revealed that the government has secured land to establish regional heart centres at the regional referral hospitals in Hoima, Jinja, Mbarara and Lira as part of efforts to decentralise specialised cardiac services. 

He said construction will commence once funding is secured. Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Uganda Heart Institute Executive Director Dr. John Omagino said government intends to establish even more regional heart centres because heart disease affects people across all parts of the country. 

He noted that congenital heart disease remains a major concern, with about one percent of babies born every year requiring specialised cardiac care regardless of where they are born. Omagino added that while the new facility at Naguru will significantly expand the institute’s capacity, the existing Uganda Heart Institute at Mulago National Referral Hospital will continue operating.