By Andrew Irumba Katusabe [Sankara]
The Ugandan government has once again allocated an additional Shs 465 billion to Italian investor Enrica Pinetti in the newly proposed 2025/26 national budget, reigniting controversy over the stalled Lubowa International Specialized Hospital project. The new funding comes despite years of public outcry, parliamentary probes, and glaring evidence that the hospital remains largely undeveloped.
With this latest injection, Pinetti’s hospital project has now consumed over Shs 1.8 trillion since its inception in 2019, yet no significant medical services are being provided at the site. The continued flow of funds to Pinetti has raised fresh concerns about transparency, accountability, and the government’s priorities amid pressing national needs.
Lubowa Hospital: A Project Shrouded in Controversy
The saga dates back to 2019, when the government awarded a contract to Pinetti’s company, Finasi-Roko Construction SPV Ltd, to build a state-of-the-art hospital in Lubowa, Wakiso District. The project, valued at Shs 1.4 trillion ($379 million), was meant to provide specialized medical services and reduce Uganda’s reliance on foreign treatment.
To fund the project, the government guaranteed a loan on Pinetti’s behalf, essentially taking full financial responsibility for the hospital’s construction. However, despite several disbursements over the years, progress at the site has been minimal, with reports indicating that the hospital remains incomplete and non-operational.
Parliamentary Probes and Calls for Accountability
The failure of the project has sparked multiple parliamentary investigations, with lawmakers questioning why the government continues to allocate funds despite the lack of tangible results. In 2023, a parliamentary report revealed that billions had been disbursed, yet there was little to show on the ground.
Several committees have summoned Pinetti to explain the delays, but she has repeatedly failed to appear, fueling suspicions about the deal’s legitimacy. Lawmakers have recommended stopping further payments until an independent audit is conducted, but the government has ignored these calls, continuing to pump more money into the project.
Pinetti’s Other Controversial Deals
The Lubowa hospital saga is not the only controversy linked to Pinetti. In 2022, she was at the center of a scandal involving Uganda’s coffee industry. Her company, Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Ltd (UVCC), was secretly awarded a contract giving it exclusive rights to process and export Ugandan coffee. The deal, which bypassed local coffee farmers and industry stakeholders, granted Pinetti massive tax exemptions and control over the coffee sector.
The revelation sparked national outrage, leading to protests from coffee farmers and business leaders. Under immense pressure, the government was forced to cancel the deal after it was exposed as unfair and exploitative.
Government’s Justification vs Public Outrage
Despite growing criticism, the Ugandan government continues to defend its dealings with Pinetti. President Yoweri Museveni has personally backed her, arguing that she is an important investor bringing foreign expertise. However, critics view her as a conduit for financial mismanagement and corruption, pointing to her repeated failure to deliver on her projects.
With the new Shs 465 billion allocation in the 2025/26 budget, the controversy surrounding Pinetti and Lubowa Hospital has reached new heights. As taxpayers continue to demand accountability, the biggest question remains: Where is the money going, and will Ugandans ever see the promised world-class hospital? By the way, who is the real Pinetti is actual sense of the word? Your guess is as good as mine, but what’s mine? Leave me alone🏃🏃🤗🤗🤣🤣
