Uganda pledges tax review for Lacor Hospital as Italian health project begins

Uganda’s Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi committed to reviewing state funding and potential tax breaks for St Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu. He made these promises during the unveiling of a €12.75 million healthcare initiative in Kampala on November 7, according to AllAfrica. The new program is financed by Italian development partners and executed by AVSI Foundation Uganda along with its collaborators.

These pledges responded to requests from Dominique Corti, head of the Piero and Lucille Corti Foundation. She noted that her organization contributes roughly Shs7 billion yearly to the hospital, covering about 70% of patient costs. However, state grants cover only 5% of the facility’s ongoing expenses. To lower operational burdens, she requested relief from Pay As You Earn, Value Added Tax, and import duties. She highlighted a proposed gift of 27 kilometers of electrical cabling that could incur Shs1 billion in customs fees.

Baryomunsi stated that the Ministry of Health would assess current allocations to Lacor and propose tax reliefs to the cabinet. He also mentioned a national drive to hire medical specialists, suggesting the hospital could utilize seconded government staff. AllAfrica reported that the facility handles roughly 200,000 patients each year, with 35,000 inpatient admissions.

The financing discussion occurred alongside the start of the PRISMA project, which stands for Prevention, Research and Integrated Services for Maternal, Child and Cancer Health. This three-year effort, active from July 2026 to June 2029, will operate in 32 clinics across four northern and western regions, serving over 500,000 residents. John Makoha, AVSI’s country representative, explained that the program aims to fix gaps in care continuity, focusing on issues like maternal bleeding and childhood illnesses.

Nixon Niyonzima, a researcher at the Uganda Cancer Institute, said the project would help clinics use existing screening tools more effectively. He noted that efforts would target cervical, breast, and childhood cancers. Deogratias Mwaka, a dean at Gulu University, revealed plans to create a Master of Science in Cancer Epidemiology under PRISMA, calling it a first for the continent.