Mukono Welcomes New Physiotherapy Centre Offering Drug Free Treatment and Fresh Hope for Residents

By Eric Yiga.

A new physiotherapy Centre has been launched at Colline Hotel in Mukono, bringing accessible, non-invasive treatment closer to residents who previously had to travel to Kampala for specialized care.

The facility, equipped with modern machines and staffed by trained professionals, aims to address a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions without relying on medication or invasive procedures.

Aheebwa Melvin a qualified physiotherapist and dry needling specialist. Dry needling, he explained during the launch, is a targeted technique used to treat sports injuries, frozen shoulders, and conditions involving limited range of motion by releasing muscle trigger points.

“Physiotherapy is a field of medicine where we do not use drugs,” Melvin said. “We rely on machines, manual therapies, and targeted exercises to treat back pain, neck pain, stroke recovery, limping gait, and even children with cerebral palsy who struggle to sit or walk during their developmental years.”

The launch event, held today at the hotel, sought to raise awareness about the often underestimated power of physiotherapy. Many Ugandans, Melvin noted, view it as a “last resort” after trying multiple facilities, consuming painkillers, undergoing costly X-rays and MRIs that sometimes reveal nothing, and still remaining in pain.

“Our goal is to change that narrative,” he emphasized. “Physiotherapy can be your first point of contact for pain management and long-term wellness. For people with desk jobs who sit for long hours, or those who wake up with shoulder or back pain from poor sleeping posture, early intervention prevents minor issues from becoming chronic problems that haunt you in later years.”

Melvin highlighted how neglecting injuries and relying on self-medication with painkillers can damage internal organs such as the kidneys and liver over time. Research from countries like China and India, where physiotherapy is more integrated into healthcare, shows the benefits of reducing medication load and preserving organ health. In Uganda, he added, many hospital visits end in complications not directly related to the original complaint but linked to prolonged drug use.

The centre will particularly focus on stroke patients and individuals with cerebral palsy. “With consistent sessions, many stroke survivors who had lost hope of walking regain mobility and live normal lives again sometimes within weeks,” Melvin said. For older adults aged 55 and above who may find gym exercises too strenuous, the centre offers tailored, gentle alternatives that improve strength, balance, and posture without risk.

Personal Testimony Sparks Inspiration.

Augustine Kasozi Managing Director of Colline Hotel Mukono, who spearheaded the project, shared his own journey as the driving force behind the centre.

“I fell sick with sciatica and couldn’t sit down for even five minutes — the pain was unbearable,” Kasozi recounted. “I had to stand or walk all the time. I tried other treatments, but they failed until physiotherapy helped me recover fully. I am now very okay, and I decided this service should help others too.”

Kasozi assured the public that the centre’s charges would remain affordable. “The bills will not be threatening,” he said. “When you are suffering, any man or woman can afford it.”

The facility currently operates with two treatment rooms and plans to expand with additional qualified therapists.

He also addressed perceptions about the location inside a hotel, noting that in Kampala such services are often called clinics, and urged residents not to hesitate in seeking help.

Local Medical Leaders Welcome the Development.

Jeremiah Katongole Director of Jericom Medical Center, welcomed the new centre, pointing out long-standing challenges in the area.

“We have been referring patients to Kampala because many residents here need physiotherapy services, but access has been difficult,” Katongole said. “We have been calling doctors, but it would take two to three years for them to reach patients. This service will be very helpful to the residents of Mukono.”

The launch featured demonstrations of some exercises and machines, with promises of more detailed sessions on equipment in future awareness events. The centre offers services for neck pain, back pain, limited mobility, post-injury rehabilitation, stroke recovery, and pediatric conditions like cerebral palsy.

Residents with deskjob related aches, sports injuries, or age-related mobility issues are encouraged to book sessions early. The facility also provides education on posture, self-management, and preventive care to promote healthier lifestyles.

With this launch, Mukono takes a significant step towards decentralizing quality rehabilitation services, reducing the burden on overstretched Kampala facilities, and helping communities achieve better long-term health without over-reliance on drugs.

The Mukono Physiotherapy Centre at Colline Hotel is now open to the public. For bookings and inquiries, residents can visit the hotel premises along the Kampala-Jinja highway in Mukono town.