Burial plans for Augustine, a Primary Six pupil at Greenhill School who died on November 12, 2025, have stalled after TMR International Hospital in Naalya declined to release his body over an unpaid medical bill estimated at Shs 150 million.
Augustine died three weeks after suffering severe injuries in a fall from a building at his school on October 22. His body is currently being kept at a funeral home under the hospital’s authority.
According to family representatives, hospital officials informed them that at least half of the outstanding bill must be paid before the body can be released. Relatives, friends and the Greenhill community have since launched fundraising efforts in hopes of meeting the amount.
The family had initially planned to hold the burial this Saturday in Mukono. However, the date is now uncertain and dependent on how quickly funds are mobilised.
TMR International Hospital has been linked to similar disputes before. During the COVID-19 pandemic, families of former ICT Minister Aggrey Awori and businessman Kaaya of Kaaya Investments reported delays in accessing their loved ones’ remains due to unsettled bills.
Efforts to obtain a comment from hospital management regarding the current case were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered.
The retention of bodies over unpaid hospital bills has long been a contentious issue in Uganda. Legal experts reiterate that health facilities are not designated detention centres and therefore cannot detain either patients or bodies as collateral for payment. They note that the legally accepted recovery mechanisms include written undertakings from caretakers or civil processes such as claiming payment from a deceased person’s estate.
Professional bodies, including the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, and officials from the Ministry of Health, have previously stated that holding bodies for non-payment is not provided for under current regulations.
Private hospitals, however, have argued before Parliament that the high cost of care—especially intensive care—reflects expensive medical equipment, specialised staff and operational pressures, which became more pronounced during the pandemic.
At a vigil on Wednesday evening, members of the Greenhill School community expressed sorrow over the loss and pledged continued support for the grieving family. Representatives said the parents were grateful for the solidarity shown so far.
The Greenhill Parents’ Committee is coordinating fundraising efforts across class groups and hopes to make a consolidated contribution to help the family proceed with burial arrangements once the body is released.
