The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) medical team has commenced a comprehensive post-operative review of patients who received medical and surgical care during the recent free medical outreach in the Kigezi sub-region, conducted as part of activities to mark the force’s 45th anniversary.
The follow-up exercise is being carried out across the districts of Kisoro, Rubanda, Kabale, Rukiga, Rukungiri and Kanungu, with the objective of assessing patient recovery, offering continued medical guidance, and ensuring continuity of care. Early assessments indicate positive outcomes, with patients reviewed so far registering good recovery and no major post-surgical complications.
According to the Joint Staff Political Commissariat, Maj Gen Henry Masiko, during the initial outreach, the UPDF conducted free medical camps across the six districts, treating a total of 50,625 patients, including 578 surgical operations.
“Our doctors are back because they carried out surgical operations and engaged in various medical procedures. The patients they worked on are now being reviewed,” Maj Gen Masiko said.
He advised all patients who underwent surgery during the outreach to report back to the respective facilities where their procedures were performed.
“If you are a patient who was operated on by our doctors, you are advised to go back to the hospital or health centre where the operation was done. Our doctors are already on the ground,” he added.
At Chahafi Health Centre IV in Kisoro District, beneficiaries expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the UPDF leadership for extending specialised medical services to hard-to-reach communities.
Ms Ntirenganya Jova, whose three-year-old daughter had suffered from bilateral inguinal hernia for more than two years, described the intervention as life-changing.
“My baby had spent more than two years in pain. I moved to different hospitals, including Kisoro Hospital, but I was advised to wait for her to grow. I cannot imagine the pain she would still be going through. I thank the UPDF doctors who successfully operated on my daughter,” Ms Jova said.
She added that her child is now in good condition, praising the quality of care and compassion exhibited by the medical team.
Another beneficiary, Ms Nyiraneza Norah, 36, underwent a myomectomy after being diagnosed with severe uterine fibroids. She recounted years of pain and financial hardship while seeking treatment.
“I was in a lot of pain and had almost lost hope. I was asked for a lot of money which I could not afford. When the UPDF medical team came, I received free treatment. I am now well, and I cannot thank the UPDF enough,” she said.
Lt Dr Simpson Ssemwogere explained that Ms Norah’s condition was critical, presenting with fibroids equivalent to a 16-week pregnancy. Together with Consultant Gynaecologist Col Dr Kabugo, the team successfully removed 11 fibroids.
In Kabale District, Ainembabazi Phoebe from Nyangori, Kasheregyengyi, said she had lived with a painful boil on her knee for a long time before learning about the UPDF medical camp.
“The doctors operated on me, and I am now okay. When I heard they were coming back for review, I returned and they confirmed that I was healing well,” she said.
Similarly, Turyahikayo Karoli, who had a tumour on his elbow that caused severe pain extending to his neck, reported full recovery following surgery at Rubaya Health Centre IV.
The in-charge of Rubaya Health Centre IV, Mr Kamusime Vianne, said the collaboration with the UPDF medical team greatly benefited both health workers and the community.
“Professionally, we learned a lot from the UPDF team due to their experience and high level of professionalism. Many procedures that would have required referrals to distant or private facilities were done here free of charge,” he noted.
He added that the outreach significantly reduced the financial burden on families and addressed long-standing medical conditions that many residents had endured due to limited resources. He appealed for similar future deployments, noting that some patients sought help after the team had already left.
As the review phase continues, Capt Dr Abbey Kiyengo said that post-operative assessments began on January 1, 2026, covering patients operated on during the anniversary medical activities.
“So far, we have reviewed over 20 patients who underwent procedures such as excisions, hernia repairs and caesarean sections. All are showing good convalescence, and we have recorded no major complications,” he said.
In Kanungu District, Lt Dr Elias Byamukama said the most common conditions handled included hypertension, hydrocele, lipomas and keloids. Patients such as Mr Tibaremwa John and Mr Ndyajunohwa Christopher, who underwent surgery during the outreach, reported significant improvement and expressed gratitude to the President and the UPDF.
The in-charge of Kanungu Health Centre IV, Dr Tumwesigye Timothy, thanked the UPDF for extending advanced medical services to the district, particularly for patients whose conditions could not be managed at local facilities.
The post-operative review follows a 12-day medical camp conducted in December 2025, which formed part of activities to commemorate the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary in Kigezi sub-region.
