Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

At UMC Hospital, the best Gastroenterology hospital in Entebbe, our team covers the full digestive tract - oesophagus to rectum - along with the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Some patients need a clear diagnosis and a course of treatment. Others require long-term management and regular monitoring. In this region, H. pylori infection, viral hepatitis, and late-presenting colorectal disease shape the clinical picture in ways that inform how we investigate and treat.

Conditions We Treat

• Oesophagus and stomach
  Acid reflux, GERD, peptic ulcers, H. pylori infection, swallowing difficulty, and Barrett's oesophagus. Most patients have been managing these symptoms for a long time before anyone investigates properly.
• Intestines
  IBS, IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), coeliac disease, polyps, bleeding, strictures, and gut infections. Several of these conditions look similar on the surface — getting the diagnosis right first makes a real difference to treatment.
• Liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
  Fatty liver, viral hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, gallstones, obstructive jaundice, and pancreatitis. Liver disease progresses silently in many patients; regular monitoring in at-risk individuals changes the outcome considerably.
• Colorectal and anorectal
  Colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, haemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, and pilonidal sinus. Some respond to straightforward treatment; others need careful planning and benefit from being caught before they become complicated.

Common Symptoms

• Persistent heartburn, acid reflux, or difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal pain or cramping that keeps returning without explanation
• Blood in the stool, dark or tarry stools, or rectal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss alongside digestive symptoms
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Bloating, change in bowel habits, or persistent loss of appetite
• Nausea or upper abdominal pain after meals, particularly fatty meals

How We Diagnose

Each investigation has a clear purpose - to confirm or rule out a diagnosis, assess severity, or guide treatment.

• Endoscopy and colonoscopy
  High-definition camera examination of the upper or lower digestive tract, with targeted biopsies where indicated.
• Capsule endoscopy
  A swallowable camera for small bowel evaluation when standard scopes cannot reach.
• GI physiology testing
  Oesophageal and anorectal manometry, and 24-hour pH studies, for patients with reflux or motility disorders where endoscopy alone does not tell the full story.
• Liver assessment
  FibroScan for non-invasive fibrosis staging, combined with comprehensive blood panels. Avoids the need for liver biopsy in most cases.
• Breath tests
  H. pylori urea breath test, hydrogen breath tests for lactose intolerance, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Treatments We Offer

• Medical management
  Targeted regimens for acid suppression, H. pylori eradication, IBD control, liver disease, and bowel disorders.
• Therapeutic endoscopy
  ERCP for bile duct and pancreatic duct conditions. Endoscopic ultrasound for detailed assessment and biopsies. Variceal banding and haemostasis for upper GI bleeding. Polyp removal and endoscopic resection of early lesions in selected cases.
• GI surgery
  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia repair, colorectal surgery for cancer and complicated IBD, and anorectal procedures tailored to the individual patient. Surgery is recommended when there is a clear indication - not as a default, and not delayed when it is genuinely needed.
• Nutritional support
  Integrated into care for IBD, liver disease, pancreatitis, and post-surgical recovery from the outset.

Technology & Infrastructure

High-definition and image-enhanced endoscopy supports earlier detection of mucosal changes. FibroScan allows liver fibrosis staging without biopsy in the majority of patients. Infection control protocols, anticoagulation management, and surgical safety checklists govern every procedure. Multidisciplinary case reviews bring together gastroenterology, surgery, radiology, nutrition, and pathology when complex cases require a coordinated approach.

Preventive Care

• H. pylori testing and eradication in patients with ulcer disease or a family history of stomach cancer
• Hepatitis B screening and vaccination for younger patients and those with household or occupational exposure
• Fatty liver disease - early dietary and lifestyle intervention before it progresses to a more serious disease
• Colonoscopy screening from age 45, or earlier, with a family history of colorectal cancer or previous polyps

When to See a Doctor

Come in promptly if you notice blood in or on your stool, unexplained weight loss over weeks, jaundice, persistent difficulty swallowing, or abdominal pain that is new, worsening, or wakes you at night. A change in bowel habits lasting more than three to four weeks also warrants assessment. If you have a family history of colon cancer, stomach cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease, a conversation is worthwhile even without current symptoms.

Why Patients Choose Us

Consult our specialists for advanced gastroenterology treatment in Entebbe at UMC Hospital for high-quality gastroenterology and GI care.

• Consultant-led team covering gastroenterology, hepatology, advanced endoscopy, and GI surgery under one roof
• Day-care endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgery with structured recovery protocols
• Nutritional support and multidisciplinary care integrated into treatment pathways from the start
• Long-term follow-up for IBD, liver disease, and colorectal conditions - not discharge without a plan

FAQs

• Are endoscopy procedures painful?
  Sedation keeps most procedures comfortable. The majority of patients return to light activity within a day after a day-care endoscopy.
• When is surgery the right choice?
  When there is a clear indication - complicated gallstone disease, colorectal cancer, hernia causing symptoms, or IBD no longer responding to medication. Not before that point, and not delayed once it is genuinely needed.
• I have managed my symptoms with antacids for years. Should I investigate?
  Yes. Persistent or worsening symptoms warrant proper assessment. Long-standing reflux carries a risk of mucosal changes, and H. pylori, common in this region, often goes unrecognized for years.
• Will I need long-term follow-up?
  Many GI and liver conditions require scheduled reviews to track progress and adjust treatment. IBD, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and colorectal conditions all have structured follow-up timelines.
• Does diet actually make a difference?
  For GERD, IBS, fatty liver, IBD, and pancreatitis, nutrition is part of the treatment itself - not supplementary to it. Practical, sustainable adjustments are more useful than extreme or short-term diets.