MJAMR

Analyzing the Impact Of Investigative Journalism On Health Care Policies In Government Hospitals. A Case Study Of Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Mujjukira Zeverio, Wamimbi Denis


Abstract

This study examined the role of investigative journalism in exposing malpractice and influencing healthcare policy in Uganda’s public health sector, with a specific focus on Mulago Hospital. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine the nature and scope of investigative journalism at Mulago Hospital, to assess the influence of investigative journalism on policy formulation and implementation, and to identify the challenges limiting the effectiveness of investigative journalism in influencing healthcare policies. A qualitative research approach was used, and primary data were collected in 2025 from journalists, health workers, and hospital administrators. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis in which responses were coded and organized into key themes. Findings revealed that investigative journalism at Mulago Hospital consistently uncovered systemic problems affecting service delivery and accountability. Three major themes emerged regarding the nature and scope of investigative reporting: corruption and misuse of funds, negligence and poor service delivery, and infrastructure breakdown and drug stockouts. The study found that patients were frequently asked to pay illegal fees for services and medicines that were supposed to be free, indicating widespread corruption and diversion of public resources. Investigations also revealed persistent negligence among health workers, including absenteeism, delayed treatment, and poor supervision, which often left patients unattended in hospital wards. In addition, journalists documented deteriorating infrastructure, broken medical equipment, overcrowded wards, and frequent shortages of essential medicines, forcing many patients to seek treatment from private facilities. The study further found that investigative journalism had a notable influence on policy attention and administrative decision-making. Media exposés frequently triggered administrative actions such as staff suspensions, transfers, internal investigations, and emergency meetings within the hospital. At the policy level, investigative reports often prompted procurement audits, ministerial statements, and committee reviews.

Keywords

Journalism Health Care Policies and Government Hospitals
Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research

Cite This Article

Mujjukira Zeverio & Wamimbi Denis (2026). Analyzing the Impact Of Investigative Journalism On Health Care Policies In Government Hospitals. A Case Study Of Mulago National Referral Hospital. Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, 5(4). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=562

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