Land Dispute Threatens Shs92.8 Billion Apac Hospital Upgrade

A major healthcare upgrade in the Lango sub-region faces uncertainty as an unresolved land dispute threatens the Shs92.8 billion World Bank-funded project for Apac Hospital. The Ministry of Health has earmarked the facility for an upgrade into a regional referral hospital during the 2027/2028 financial year, but securing a clean land title remains a strict prerequisite for the implementation.

Ms Caroline Lejji, the assistant District Health Officer-in-charge of maternal and child health, confirmed that the funds are secured and ready. However, during a district planning meeting, she warned that the lack of formal proof of land ownership is holding back progress and urged stakeholders to resolve the matter urgently.

Established back in 1968, the health facility is currently struggling to reclaim portions of its property from encroachers. Apac Resident District Commissioner Andrew Onyuk addressed the district budget conference, pledging decisive action to safeguard the institutional land and calling on the building control committee to halt unauthorized structures.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the situation. Mr Ricky Opur, a resident of Akere Division, noted that many of the individuals occupying the hospital land are former staff members whose boundaries are well known. Meanwhile, community elder Tom Olum suggested involving local elders who understand the history of the land, which was originally donated by the clan, to help properly establish the boundaries.

Community members fear that any further delays could derail the planned healthcare transformation and deny the region access to expanded specialised medical services. Authorities have since been urged to investigate land records and protect public property.

Read more details on the Daily Monitor.