Uganda Faces Rising Burns Crisis, Experts Urge Creation of National Specialist Hospital

Kampala, April 14, 2026 - Medical experts in Uganda are warning of a worsening burns crisis, citing rising numbers of cases and overstretched health facilities, and are calling for the establishment of a dedicated national burns hospital to improve survival rates and care outcomes.

Currently, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital remains the country’s only specialised burns treatment centre. Its 60-bed unit is under severe pressure, receiving more than ten new patients daily, with frequent surges during emergencies.

Health workers say the unit is increasingly overwhelmed, as critically injured patients require long-term and intensive treatment, often arriving faster than others can be discharged.

Dr. Rose Alenyo, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon heading the burns unit at Kiruddu, said most injuries are linked to preventable household accidents.

“These include open cooking fires, charcoal stoves, kerosene accidents, hot liquids, and unsafe electrical connections,” she said.

She noted that children under the age of 10 make up the majority of patients, largely due to exposure in home environments where cooking is often done at ground level. Women are also frequently affected because of their roles in household cooking activities.

Beyond the immediate trauma, survivors often suffer long-term consequences such as permanent disability, disfigurement, and psychological distress. Delays in treatment further increase the risk of infections and death.

Dr. Alenyo warned that the system is operating beyond capacity, with only about ten trained burns specialists available nationwide, a shortage she said is affecting the quality and speed of care.

“There is an urgent need to expand specialised care, train more personnel, and establish a dedicated national burns hospital to manage the increasing caseload,” she said.

Experts also highlighted prevention measures, including safer cooking practices, elevating cooking surfaces, proper storage of fuels, and improved electrical safety in homes. However, they stressed that prevention alone is not enough without stronger treatment capacity.

Medical professionals are now urging the government and development partners to invest in specialised infrastructure and training, warning that without urgent intervention, Uganda’s burns burden could continue to rise and result in avoidable loss of life.