Kyankwanzi, Uganda — Newly elected Bunyangabu County MP Victor Kalenzi has called for urgent government action to develop Uganda’s medical tourism sector, citing the country’s continued loss of billions of shillings to overseas treatment.
Addressing President Yoweri Museveni and Members of parliament elects during a retreat at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi, Kalenzi who also owns Fins Medical University, praised the government for creating an enabling environment for private investment in education.
Kalenzi, who described himself as the youngest person in East Africa to own a medical university, expressed optimism about Uganda’s economic trajectory, aligning with projections shared by agencies such as the National Planning Authority and the Bank of Uganda. He said the country could transform significantly over the next two decades.
However, he criticized the absence of discussion around medical tourism in the ongoing national planning discourse, calling it a “critical gap” in Uganda’s development strategy.
In an emotional account, Kalenzi revealed that his son is currently undergoing cancer treatment in India, underscoring the personal and national burden of seeking healthcare abroad.
“As we talk right now, my son is admitted in India battling cancer. The rest of my colleagues will be buying new cars. I will be paying for the medical bills of my son.,” he said.
He noted that Ugandans seeking specialized treatment overseas are not isolated cases, adding that he encountered between 10 and 15 fellow Ugandans at the same hospital.
“We are losing billions and billions of money in medical tourism,” he emphasized, urging policymakers to prioritize investment in advanced healthcare infrastructure, particularly for diseases such as cancer.
Kalenzi further warned that dependence on foreign medical systems exposes the country to geopolitical vulnerabilities, including potential restrictions from Western nations.
“We do not want to continue being threatened with sanctions because they know we shall go there for treatment,” he said.
The incoming legislator for Bunyangabu county appealed directly to President Museveni for a dedicated meeting, requesting 30 minutes to present his vision for strengthening Uganda’s health sector through local investment.
“I am requesting, as a local investor, for an opportunity to explain my plan on how I can contribute to the health sector in this country,” he said.
His remarks add to growing calls for Uganda to invest in specialized healthcare services to reduce reliance on foreign treatment and retain critical financial resources within the country.
