The Joint Staff Health Services, Major General Dr Ambrose Musinguzi, has called on medical personnel at the UPDF National Referral Hospital to uphold professionalism, discipline, and teamwork as the facility positions itself as a leading centre of healthcare excellence in Uganda and the region.
Speaking during the Chief of Defence Forces’ end-of-year dinner and team-building function held at the hospital in Mbuya, Maj Gen Dr Musinguzi reminded the staff that high standards must be matched by exceptional work ethic and attitude.
“This hospital is attracting attention across the region because of its infrastructure and equipment,” he said. “What will now define its success is the human resource. That responsibility lies with you.”
He emphasized that while infrastructure and equipment are important, quality healthcare ultimately depends on human conduct, particularly nursing care, which he described as central to patient experience and outcomes.
“A doctor may come, diagnose, and operate, but the patient lives with the nurse,” he said. “If we want to talk about quality healthcare, we must start with nursing care, patient management, and professionalism at the bedside.”
Maj Gen Musinguzi underscored the constitutional mandate of UPDF Health Services to support the national health system, noting that the military medical corps has consistently played a critical role during national health emergencies.
“When the country faces epidemics, disasters, or health catastrophes, UPDF health services are always called upon,” he said. “In some cases, the only doctors deployed were from the UPDF, and we delivered.”
Reflecting on the evolution of military health services, Maj Gen Dr Musinguzi traced the journey from the early days of the NRA, when the force had fewer than ten doctors, to the present-day establishment of more health personnel operating over 71 health facilities across the country, including battalions, divisions, specialised units, and now the UPDF National Referral Hospital.
“This transformation was deliberate and purposeful,” he said. “Military health services are one of the major pillars of UPDF’s overall transformation.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the UPDF National Referral Hospital, Colonel Dr Ronald Nangamba, said the facility has been given a clear vision and mission that demands a new way of working.
“Our vision is to be a premier healthcare institution and a leader in health education and research in Uganda and the region,” Col Dr Nangamba said. “This is a big vision, and it requires teamwork, cohesion, and shared responsibility across all cadres.”
Col Dr Nangamba observed that the UPDF National Referral Hospital represents a shift in how military medical services are delivered, moving from routine service provision to a patient-centred, research-driven, and accountable healthcare model.
“This hospital is not just another health facility. It is a national asset entrusted to us by the UPDF leadership and the people of Uganda,” he said. “Every staff member here, whether clinical or non-clinical, plays a role in shaping the reputation of this institution.”
He acknowledged the support of the Chief of Defence Forces, whose end-of-year appreciation initiative made the event possible.
The Director of Administration and Finance, Colonel Deborah Nayebare, said the UPDF National Referral Hospital represents a new chapter in military healthcare delivery, both in structure and culture. She noted that since its establishment, staff have been drawn from different formations, backgrounds, and professional experiences, making teamwork and cohesion a critical priority.
“As a new unit, we have brought together personnel from different walks of life and different deployments. That diversity is a strength, but only if we deliberately build trust, understanding, and professionalism among ourselves,” Col Nayebare said.
She explained that the end-of-year function went beyond celebration, serving as a platform for team building, conflict resolution, and strengthening professional relationships in a demanding healthcare environment.
“In the course of duty, especially in high-pressure medical settings, disagreements can arise. Activities like this allow us to interact outside the ward, understand one another better, and build a strong, united medical team that can perform effectively under pressure,” she said.
The function combined sports activities, team-building exercises, and a social evening, marking the beginning of a new institutional culture aligned with the hospital’s mandate and future ambitions.
