Buganda to receive free brain surgeries: Specialist surgeons organize camp to show Uganda’s ‘Gifted Hands’

KAYUNGA: Patients across ten districts in Buganda sub-region will receive free specialist surgery next month as the Association of Surgeons of Uganda partners with Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital for a week-long medical camp.

The camp will run from 12 to 19 September 2026. Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital will serve as the main centre, with surgical teams also working in public and private facilities in Kayunga, Buikwe, Buvuma, Kiboga, Mukono, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Wakiso, Luwero and Kyankwanzi.

Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital Director Dr. Ssentongo Robert said the aim is “To take specialised services to the local communities where these services are hard to reach,” he told journalists at a press conference in Kayunga on Thursday.

“We want to take specialised services to the local communities where these services are hard to reach,” Dr. Ssentongo told a press conference in Kayunga on Thursday.

Patients with surgically correctable conditions will receive free consultations and operations. Services will cover general surgery, hernia repair, pediatric surgery, brain and spine operations, eye surgery, ear, nose and throat care, breast and endocrine surgery, upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures, endoscopies, liver and pancreas surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics, and limb prosthesis fitting.

Screening will form a key part of the programme. Teams will check for breast and cervical cancer, hearing and eye problems, disabilities and tuberculosis. Blood donation drives and school visits are also planned.

Dr Ssentongo added that the camp will demonstrate Uganda’s existing capacity to manage complex cases. “We want to showcase that Uganda has the ability to handle such complicated medical.

Participating facilities include Kawolo General Hospital and St Francis Hospital Njeru in Buikwe, Buvuma Health Centre IV. In Kayunga; Kayunga regional Refferal Hospital, Kangulumira and Baale Health Centres will participate while in Luwero; Kiboga General Hospital, Ntwetwe Health Centre IV, Bishop Asili Hospital and the General Military Hospital Bombo. Other facilities include; Mukono General Hospital, Kiwoko and Nakaseke General Hospitals, Nakasongola Military Hospital, and Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital among others

The Association of Surgeons of Uganda brings together surgeons working inside the country and those in the diaspora. The group says the camp is part of its effort to raise standards and expand access to quality surgical care.

Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital Administrators preparing for a press meeting in Kayunga (PHOTO:: STephen Okhutu)

Full list of participating facilities per district:

Buikwe district;

1. Kawolo General Hospital,
2. Francis Nkokonjeru,
3. Francis Hospital Njeru,
4. Charles Buikwe Hospital,
5. Nyenga Health Care Services,
6. Jehova Rapha Hospital

Buvuma District:

1. Buvuma Health Centre 4

Kayunga District:

1. Kayunga regional referral hospital,
2. Kangulumira Health Centre 4,
3. Baale Health Centre 4.

Kiboga District:

1. Kiboga General Hospital,
2. Bukomero Health Centre 4,

Kyankwanzi District:

1. Ntwetwe Health Centre 4.

Luwero District:

1. Bishop Asiri Hospital,
2. Nyimbwa Health Centre 4,
3. General Military Hospital Bombo,
4. Holy Cross Health Centre 4.

Mukono District:

1. Mukono General Hospital,
2. Mukono COU,
3. Kojja Health Centre 4, St.
4. Francis Naggalama,
5. Kyetume Health Centre 4,
6. Herona Hospital

Nakaseke District:

1. Kiwoko General Hospital,
2. Nakaseke General Hospital,
3. Ngoma Health Centre 4.

Nakasongola District:

1. Nakasongola Health Centre 4,
2. Nakasongola Military Hospital.

Wakiso District:

1. Entebe Regional Referral Hospital,
2. Kasubi Hospital, Kajjansi Health Centre 4,
3. Kasangati Health Centre 4, Namayumba Health Centre 4,
4. Saidina Abubakar Hospital and
5. Corsu Hospital.

Full list of conditions to be worked on:

1. General Surgery,
2. Hernia Repair,
3. Kids surgery,
4. Brain and spine surgery,
5. eye surgery,
6. Ear, Nose and throat care,
7. Breast and Endocrine surgery,
8. Breast and cervical cancer screening,
9. Upper and lower GI, Endoscopies,
10. Hepato-pancreatic-binary surgery,
11. plastics and reconstructive surgery,
12. orthopedics,
13. limb prosthesis reconstruction,
14. Screaming at schools for hearing defects, disabilities, eye defects, TB screaming and blood donations.