FINASI/ISHU has defended its decision to stop a delegation of Opposition MPs from accessing the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda construction site in Lubowa, saying the visit had not been formally coordinated and the necessary safety arrangements were not in place.
The MPs, led by Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, visited the hospital site on Wednesday to assess the progress of the long-running project but were unable to enter after finding the main gate closed.
The incident has raised questions about access to the project by Parliament and other stakeholders as construction of the specialized hospital continues.
FINASI/ISHU, the company overseeing the project, said the site remains an active construction area and therefore visits have to be arranged in advance to protect visitors and workers.
The company said, under the coordination arrangements governing the project, official visits to the construction site are supposed to be communicated through the Ministry of Health.
FINASI/ISHU said it received communication from Ssenyonyi about the planned Parliamentary visit on the afternoon of September 10, 2026, and subsequently notified the Ministry of Health.
However, the company said it had not received the formal notification from the ministry by the time the MPs arrived at the site.
The FINASI/ISHU Chief Operating Officer, Charles Byaruhanga said the company needs advance information about the number and names of visitors to arrange protective equipment, insurance and other safety requirements.
Byaruhanga said the delegation could therefore not be allowed onto the site before the necessary preparations had been completed.
He said the decision was not intended to prevent Parliament from scrutinizing the hospital project, adding that FINASI/ISHU remains ready to receive official delegations once the required procedures are followed. The company said it remains committed to working with the Government to complete the hospital and have it operational as a specialized healthcare facility.
