Kampala | July 2025 — In a historic stride for Uganda’s medical landscape, surgeons at Mulago National Referral Hospital have successfully completed four additional kidney transplants, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s capacity to handle complex surgeries. Supported by a team from the United Kingdom, the Ugandan medical team carried out the procedures with increasing independence, a bold step toward self-reliance in high-level healthcare delivery.
Among the four cases was a 16-year-old girl who received a kidney from her 24-year-old brother, the country’s first recorded pediatric transplant. Another recipient was a 57-year-old man, who received a kidney from his 43-year-old brother, making him the oldest transplant recipient to date in Uganda.
“We can comfortably say that the Ugandan team is slowly transitioning to the point of being winged,” said Dr. Frank Asimwe, one of Uganda’s leading transplant surgeons. “We don’t want to be presumptuous, but we are building capacity and already planning another round of transplants between October and November.”
Understanding Kidney Transplants: Why They Matter
Kidney transplants are often the last resort for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a life-threatening condition in which the kidneys lose nearly all their function. Common causes include diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney infections. Transplantation is often more cost-effective and longer-lasting than long-term dialysis, offering patients not only extended lifespans but also vastly improved quality of life.
Globally, countries like India, Turkey, and the United States have become renowned for high-volume, high-quality kidney transplants. Hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic (USA), Apollo Hospitals (India), and Anadolu Medical Center (Turkey) stand out as global leaders in transplant success rates. The fact that Uganda is now confidently performing such surgeries signals a leap in both technical skill and health infrastructure development.
The Economic and Social Significance of Local Kidney Transplants
The implications of this medical breakthrough are enormous. Previously, Ugandans seeking kidney transplants had to travel abroad, incurring costs ranging from UGX 150 million to over UGX 250 million, including surgery, travel, accommodation, and post-op care. With the procedure now available at Mulago, the cost drops drastically to an estimated UGX 40–50 million per transplant, a figure that may decline further as more local expertise is developed.
“There are kidneys going down into graves which could save lives including the very people burying them,” Dr. Asimwe lamented, calling for a national conversation on organ donation and consent-driven harvesting.
This statement underscores the need to formalize organ donation policies, raise awareness, and establish ethical frameworks that can support deceased donor programs expanding the pool of available organs and saving countless lives.
Consolidating the Achievement: What Uganda Must Do Next
- Institutionalize a National Transplant Program: Uganda needs to integrate transplants into the national health strategy, with a focus on training, infrastructure, and sustainability.
- Build Legal and Ethical Frameworks for Organ Donation: Public sensitization and legal reforms are critical for developing a safe and accountable organ donation system.
- Invest in Human Capital and Technology: Continued partnership with international experts must be matched with domestic training and technological upgrades to sustain and scale the program.
- Cover Transplants Under National Health Insurance: To enhance access and affordability, kidney transplants should be incorporated into Uganda’s essential health benefits package under universal health coverage (UHC).
A Model for Regional Leadership
As Uganda scales up its transplant program, it holds the potential to become a regional hub for life-saving surgeries in East and Central Africa. With further investment, policy reforms, and strategic partnerships, the country can join the ranks of global leaders offering advanced and affordable transplants.
Mulago’s latest achievement is more than a surgical milestone, it is a transformative symbol of Uganda’s rising medical capabilities and a step toward a more resilient, self-sufficient health system. By embracing innovation, building human capital, and making healthcare inclusive, Uganda is not just saving lives, it is charting a new path toward medical sovereignty and national dignity.
