The leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, and other opposition Members of Parliament have been barred from accessing the Lubowa International Specialised Hospital construction site, for an oversight visit on Wednesday.
While addressing media following the blockage, Ssenyonyi expressed dismay at security personnel who stopped the MP’s from proceeding on their legislative duty, despite having clearance from the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi for the visit, and earlier communication with the project management.
However, upon arrival, they found the main gate locked, with no officials available to receive or attend to them, leaving them stranded and trying to peep into the compound.
The International Specialised Hospital project in Lubowa, is a multi-trillion shilling 264-bed specialised referral teaching and research hospital whose, construction commenced in June 2017 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2021, involving Italian investor Enrica Pinetti, which has so far cost government UGX 1.5 trillion.
During a recent address in Parliament, the health ministry officials said the project was 75 percent complete and will be completed by December 2026.
The blockage on Wednesday raises questions about the authority of the parliamentary legislative teams during their oversight works on government projects.
