Mengo Hospital, in collaboration with Rotary Kampala South, hosted a fundraising breakfast today, March 11, 2025, to generate support for the Mengo Hospital Dialysis Unit.
The fundraiser aimed to enhance the unit’s capacity and ensure that life-saving dialysis services remain accessible and more affordable for patients in need.
Established in 2022 through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Kampala South, the Mengo Dialysis Unit began with three dialysis beds and has since carried out 3,000 dialysis sessions. Currently, the unit serves approximately 14 patients per day, offering affordable and accessible care to individuals with kidney disease.
Speaking at the event, the guest of honor, Rotary District Governor of District 9213, Anne Nkutu, commended the Mengo Hospital medical team for their dedication to providing quality and affordable dialysis services. She also reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to supporting the unit in its expansion and affordability efforts.
“This is a noble cause that aligns with our core values of extending affordable healthcare services to the general public. We are committed to continuing our support for the Mengo Dialysis Unit to acquire more dialysis beds and lower treatment costs. The current fee of UGX 250,000 per session remains high for many Ugandans,” Nkutu stated.
Dr. Simon Peter Nsingo, Executive Director of Mengo Hospital, emphasized the growing demand for dialysis services due to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
“Uganda has seen a significant rise in patients requiring dialysis, with many seeking help only when their condition has reached a critical stage. Although our dialysis services are among the most affordable in the private sector at UGX 250,000 per session (excluding consumables), these costs remain out of reach for many,” he explained.
Dr. Nsingo also outlined plans to expand the facility. “We aim to increase our capacity from three dialysis beds to at least 10 in the near future. Currently, our unit is so busy that some patients arrive as early as 5 a.m. to secure treatment. By expanding our services, we can accommodate more patients and ultimately save more lives,” he added.
Rotary Club of Kampala South President, Samuel Ssewagudde, appealed for additional support from corporate entities and individuals.
“Our sponsorship of the Mengo Dialysis Unit was initiated to address the critical need for affordable dialysis—a challenge both locally and globally. Despite our efforts, the current cost remains a barrier for many, especially for those requiring multiple sessions per week. We call on all partners to help us lower these costs so that even the average Ugandan can access this essential care,” Ssewagudde said.
The fundraiser was held in conjunction with International Kidney Week, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about kidney disease. As part of the initiative, Mengo Hospital has launched a lifestyle sensitization social media campaign under the hashtag #KnowYourKidneys to promote kidney health awareness and preventive measures.
The hospital will also conduct free screening and sensitization outreaches at Mengo Market on March 12 and at Lungujja Kitunzi Trading Center on March 14, 2025.
