Masindi MPs Push for Accelerated Hospital Construction Ahead of AFCON 2027

Lawmakers from Masindi District are calling for swift action from NEC Construction Works and Engineering Ltd to ensure the Masindi General Hospital project meets its December 31, 2026 deadline. This accelerated timeline is crucial as Uganda prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Shs58 billion hospital project, currently at 12% completion, is a vital upgrade for a facility established during the colonial era. The existing hospital has long struggled to serve the growing population across Masindi, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke, and Kiryandongo districts.

The AFCON 2027 bid provided the necessary impetus for the hospital’s redevelopment. While Hoima will host matches, Masindi is slated to host training sessions, necessitating improved infrastructure. The government’s commitment of Shs58 billion will fund new inpatient and outpatient blocks, alongside renovations to existing structures, ensuring readiness for medical emergencies during the tournament and enhancing healthcare services long-term.

During a site inspection, area MPs, led by Rogers Byamukama, expressed satisfaction with the initial progress but stressed the need for increased pace. Byamukama highlighted that AFCON funding has been instrumental in making the long-awaited transformation a reality.

Legislators anticipate the new hospital will significantly improve healthcare delivery with modern facilities and equipment, reducing the need for patient referrals to distant hospitals like Hoima Regional Referral Hospital and Lacor Hospital in Gulu. The prompt release of the full Shs58 billion by the government in the first quarter of the financial year has been acknowledged as a positive sign of commitment to the completion deadline.

Once finished, the hospital is expected to boast a surgical theatre, a minor surgery unit, a maternity wing, and other advanced medical amenities. The MPs are appealing to the contractor to leverage the available funds and diligently work towards the stipulated completion date.

Source: Nile Post