Uganda Halts Organ Transplants Due to Lack of Funding for Regulatory Council

Minister of Health Dr. Jane Aceng, disclosed that Uganda has ceased all Human Organ Transplant activities due to the government’s failure to allocate UGX 5 billion for the operationalization of the Human Organ Transplant Council.

Dr. Aceng revealed this while appearing before Parliament’s Health Committee to present the 2024/25 ministerial policy statement for the Ministry of Health.

She explained that out of the required UGX 5 billion, UGX 3.6 billion is intended for training and benchmarking from other nations, with the remaining UGX 1.4 billion allocated for the Council’s operations.

“We have suspended all transplant activities because we require a functioning Council. As you witnessed during your tour of the surgical exhibition yesterday, the facilities are ready, but they cannot be utilized without the Council. The Council members need training as organ transplantation is a new domain in Uganda,” stated Minister Aceng.

Section 13 of the Uganda Human Organ Donation and Transplant Act, 2023, outlines the functions of the Council, which include regulating, organizing, and supervising national organ, tissue, and cell donation and transplantation; overseeing designated transplant centers and approved banks; enforcing standards; regulating organ allocation; and managing the national waiting list.

Samuel Opio, Kole North MP, expressed concern during the committee session, questioning the Ministry of Finance’s priorities for the health sector. He emphasized the urgent need for the Ministry to allocate the required funds for the Organ Transplant Council. Committee Chairperson Dr. Charles Ayume emphasized the readiness of some health facilities, such as Lubaga Hospital, to conduct organ transplants, highlighting the importance of establishing the Council.

Minister Aceng reiterated the necessity of the Council’s training and emphasized the readiness of several hospitals to conduct transplant procedures. She appealed for the provision of funds to facilitate the training and functioning of the Council to ensure the continuity of transplant activities.

Regarding inquiries about the International Specialized Hospital Lubowa, Minister Aceng requested to be excused from responding, citing reasons related to the Office of the Prime Minister’s takeover of the project supervision.

Dr. George Bokha, Obongi County MP, raised concerns about the absence of updates on the construction progress of the controversial facility in the Ministry of Health’s ministerial policy statement.