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Justice Irene K Mulyagonja, a senior Constitutional Court judge, has openly criticised the treatment her late husband, John Bosco Kazoora, received at Mulago Hospital, holding hospital staff partly responsible for his death. Kazoora passed away on Saturday, May 17, after a difficult illness.
Speaking at Rubaga Cathedral on Wednesday, Mulyagonja described their experience in Mulago’s Ward 6B — the hospital’s supposed premier ward — as deeply frustrating and humiliating.
“We were admitted in Ward 6B, which is supposed to be the very best,” she said, “but from what I saw and experienced, there is nothing specialised or referral about what remains of Mulago.”
She recounted how basic medical essentials like insulin and a nasogastric (NG) tube were not available. “The so-called national specialised referral hospital couldn’t even provide a shot of insulin when my husband needed it most.”
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She also criticised the delay in a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, saying it took 24 hours despite normally taking less than 30 minutes elsewhere. “There is so much I saw and went through in those few days that I could write a book about it.”
A painful journey through hospitals and mounting costs
Before Mulago, Kazoora was treated at Ian Clarke Hospital in Kisugu and later at Nsambya Hospital, where the family received support from church leaders. However, escalating medical bills forced a transfer to Mulago, hoping for quality and affordable care.
Instead, their ordeal worsened, leading to another transfer to Mukwaya General Hospital, where Kazoora passed away. Mulyagonja reflected on the indignity she faced despite being a judge: “I’m a Judge and there is no way I was going to keep moving from one place to another begging for contributions. That was too much indignity.”
Calls for urgent reform and public awareness
Mulyagonja’s frank testimony has sparked widespread support. She challenged, “If you don’t say this, you would have betrayed John because he fought for the rights of others.”
MPs Richard Ssebamala and Richard Lumu commended her courage, urging the government to prioritise healthcare funding. Ssebamala said, “No one is immune to inefficiencies in our public health system,” while Lumu called for continued pressure to improve medical services. Mulyagonja’s voice stands as a powerful call to action to address the critical shortcomings of Uganda’s healthcare system.