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From its early beginnings, Uganda Heart Institute has grown into the country’s National Referral Facility for heart disease, delivering specialised cardiovascular care to thousands of patients every year. With advanced facilities and skilled specialists, UHI continues to expand access to life-saving heart care while reducing the need for treatment abroad.
Cardiac services began as a clinic at Mulago Hospital under the Department of Medicine. This marked the beginning of specialised heart care in Uganda.
Uganda established its first functional cardiac laboratory, creating a stronger foundation for the diagnosis and management of heart disease.
By 1969, open-heart surgery was being performed at Mulago Hospital using the core-cooling technique—an important milestone in Uganda’s cardiac care journey.
A landmark meeting involving Mulago Hospital, the Ministry of Health, Makerere University and Uganda Heart Foundation resolved to establish a dedicated Heart Institute.
UHI was legally established as a company limited by guarantee and began operating as a semi-autonomous unit under Mulago Hospital, creating a foundation for further growth.
Uganda Heart Institute performed its first open-heart surgery in 2007, marking the return of advanced cardiac surgery in Uganda after several decades
The Uganda Heart Institute Act, 2016 established UHI as an autonomous body, strengthening its mandate to provide and coordinate specialised cardiovascular care nationally.
Today, UHI is Uganda’s only National Referral Facility for heart diseases, handling more than 20,000 patients annually and providing advanced cardiovascular interventions and surgery.