Uganda’s Vice President, H.E. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, has launched a Shs50 billion project to expand and modernize Katakwi General Hospital — a major step toward improving healthcare services across eastern Uganda. The initiative, fully funded by the Government of Algeria through its International Cooperation Agency, will upgrade hospital infrastructure, expand service capacity, and enhance access to quality healthcare for more than half a million residents in Katakwi and surrounding districts.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Vice President Alupo described the project as a landmark achievement in the growing partnership between Uganda and Algeria. She noted that the upgraded hospital would ease pressure on regional referral hospitals and provide timely, high-quality medical services to the people of Teso and neighboring regions.
The funding agreement, signed in September by Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, and Algeria’s Finance Minister, Abdelkarim Bouzred, under the Algerian International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development Agency, includes the construction of modern wards, installation of advanced medical equipment, and capacity-building programs for healthcare workers.
Vice President Alupo expressed gratitude to the Algerian government for prioritizing healthcare development and called for continued collaboration in the project’s second phase. She urged the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the UPDF Engineering Brigade to accelerate construction and ensure that the upgraded facilities become operational as soon as possible.
Local leaders welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Katakwi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Stephen Okure Ilemukorit pledged to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the project’s implementation, while encouraging residents to maintain vigilance during the festive season. Eng. Aloysius Kabukya, Principal Engineer at the Ministry of Health, assured that a dedicated monitoring team will oversee the project’s progress to guarantee timely completion.
Katakwi LCV Chairperson Hon. Geoffrey Omolo commended both governments for addressing the district’s long-standing healthcare challenges, while District Health Officer Dr. Simon Icumar Omeke emphasized that the hospital’s expansion will significantly improve service delivery and save countless lives.
Algerian Ambassador Amokrane Mourad reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Uganda. He described the Katakwi Hospital expansion as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations and pledged Algeria’s continued support for Uganda’s broader social and economic development goals.
