Uganda’s health system is a multi-level, decentralized structure encompassing public, private, faith-based (PNFP), and traditional health providers. Services range from thousands of community and Health Centre II clinics all the way to national teaching/referral hospitals like Mulago National Referral Hospital and specialized centers in Kampala and major cities. Faith-based bureaus (Catholic, Protestant, Muslim) play a huge role, especially in rural and underserved areas. Thanks to an expanding digital and telemedicine network, district and referral hospitals are increasingly linked, providing more timely care and coordinated referrals.
Use MyHospitalNow to compare, plan, and optimize your journey from any remote village to Uganda’s most advanced hospitals:
Structure of Uganda’s Hospital and Health Facility Network
1. Community-Based Care (Village Health Teams & HC II)
- Village Health Teams (VHTs): Volunteer outreach—deliver health education, preventive home care, first-line triage, and malaria/child care in every community.
- Health Centre II (HC II): Nurse-run outpatient units, first touchpoint for minor illnesses and uncomplicated cases, linked to catchment of 5,000 population.
2. Health Centre III (HC III) & IV (HC IV) — The Backbone
- HC III: Located in every sub-county, run by clinical officers, providers offer out/inpatient services, basic labs, simple surgery (lacerations), and maternal/child health. Should have ~18 staff.
- HC IV: County-level, run by doctors, with wards for all demographics plus ability to admit, minor surgery (including C-section), comprehensive emergency obstetrics, blood transfusion, referral ambulance. Step-up from HC III.
3. District General & Regional Referral Hospitals
- District General Hospitals: 1 per district; full in/outpatient services, larger surgery, maternity, pediatrics, advanced labs, and minor specializations.
- Regional Referral Hospitals (RRH): 14 regionally distributed hubs, offer all district hospital services plus specialist clinics (mental health, dentistry, HIV), consulting physicians, and surgery support for county hospitals.
4. National Referral & Teaching Hospitals
- Mulago National Referral Hospital: Uganda’s largest, known for all specialties, tertiary surgery, trauma, ICU, oncology, infectious diseases, neonatal care, and research. Linked to Makerere University.
- Specialized National Centers (e.g., Uganda Heart Institute, Butabika Psychiatric, CURE Hospital for orthopaedics/neurosurgery): Highest-level diagnostics and medical teams.
5. Private & PNFP Hospitals
- PNFPs (Faith-based): Significant networks under Uganda Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim bureaus.
- Private-for-profit: City and regional multi-specialties, diagnostics, private maternity/pediatric/dental/trauma, and large clinical groups—often used for rapid elective access.
How to Journey Through Uganda’s Hospital System
1. The First Step—Community to Health Centre
- Minor/acute issues: Visit HC II or VHT; escalate to HC III for persistent or maternity needs
- HC III to HC IV as referrals—documents, diagnostics and ambulance provided for severe cases
- Maternity and planned surgery can start at HC III but complex cases pushed to HC IV or above
2. When to Use District/Regional/National Hospitals
- Emergency/trauma, serious infections, major surgery, complex deliveries: Start at the closest district hospital or HC IV. Ambulance and referral go up to RRH or Mulago if needed
- Specialists: Regional hospitals and Mulago host senior consultants (physicians, surgeons, paediatricians, anaesthetists)
3. Elective, Planned & Specialty Care
- Outpatient specialist visits, elective surgery, cancer care, cardiac, orthopaedic/plastic, mental health: Regional or national referral hospitals, or private/faith-based urban providers
Hospital Comparison Table
| Name | Location | Level | Specialties | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulago National Referral | Kampala | National | All, ICU, trauma, cancer, burns | Largest, tertiary, teaching hospital |
| Uganda Heart Institute | Kampala | National | Cardiac, heart surgery, cath lab | Subspecialty surgical leader |
| Mbarara RRH | Western UG | Regional | Surgery, obs/gyn, trauma, mental | Training, regional, specialist focus |
| Soroti RRH | East/north | Regional | General, trauma, nephrology, ortho | Infectious disease, rural hub |
| District General Hospitals | All regions | District | Surgery, maternity, dental, peds | Rural/urban health backbone |
| CURE Hospital | Mbale | Private (PNFP) | Pediatric/neuro, ortho, plastic | Global mission, paediatric experts |
| IHK, Nakasero, Case Medical | Kampala | Private | Multi-specialty, surgery, private | Rapid access, expat services |
| PNFP Missions/Bureaus | Nationwide | PNFP | Maternal, HIV, child, trauma | Widespread, trusted by communities |
Real Patient Voices—What to Expect
- “Our VHT spotted my daughter’s pneumonia and walked us up chain to the HC III—she was stabilized, then ambulance to a district hospital for recovery.”
- “Mulago’s surgical unit took my accident from trauma room to orthopedic surgery—skilled, even when busy.”
- “Faith-based hospital in western Uganda handled our C-section with care and minimal cost; staff always present and caring.”
- “Private hospital gave me fast access for a planned knee procedure; aftercare connected back to my local HC III.”
Uganda Hospital Visit Planning Checklist
- ☐ Bring ID, insurance (if applicable), previous records/reports
- ☐ Referral letters and test results
- ☐ Patient’s medication/allergy list and emergency contacts
- ☐ Arrange transport (ambulance/private); know the referral route
- ☐ Discuss payment plans/insurance; public care has nominal fees, private facilities accept cash/insurance
- ☐ Request interpreter or family support if needed
Frequently Asked Questions—Hospitals in Uganda
Is public hospital care free?
Government hospitals charge small user fees; emergencies and some maternal/child services are free. Private and PNFPs set their own rates.
Can expats/foreigners access all levels of care?
Yes, but payment or insurance is required at private/faith-based facilities.
Do hospitals have enough specialists?
Regional/national hospitals have attending consultants; rural and HC-level hospitals rely more on clinical officers and nurses.
How is referral managed?
Referrals are a built-in part of the system—HC II → III → IV → District Hospital → RRH → National/specialty center as needed.
Are all regions equally covered?
Service density is highest in Kampala and regional cities; rural/remote districts rely heavily on VHTs, nurses, and effective referral.
Using MyHospitalNow in Uganda
- Access Hospitals in Uganda category for updated region and specialty hospital lists, user reviews, checklists, and practical planning.
- Plan your care by city, specialty, facility level, or patient testimonials; use the internal directory for contact and location info.
- Download printable prep and referral guides for each step of the health system.
Start Your Uganda Hospital Journey
Whether in Kampala’s national centers or a rural district, Uganda’s hospitals—public, private, and faith-based—are growing, modernizing, and linked for better outcomes. MyHospitalNow gives every family, expat, and visitor the right roadmap.
- Begin your research with the homepage
- See all hospital options and real user advice at the Hospitals in Uganda category
Prepare, compare, and trust your care—MyHospitalNow brings safety, clarity, and local insight to Uganda’s hospital journey.