On Tuesday this week, the minister for finance, planning and economic development Matia Kasaija was in the Algerian capital-Algiers where he inked a multibillion deal worth Shs50bn. This mega cash is a grant to Uganda by the Algerian government. It is to go towards the rehabilitation and expansion of Katakwi General Hospital.
Inspectors said, for this deal to have come to Uganda, it was not a mere opportunity but it was largely premised on the person of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose role on the African continent is immense and is highly regarded by many including Algerians, who describe him as a real Pan-Africanist.
To begin with, under the African Union arrangement, a position of Champion of Integration was bestowed upon this son of Kaguta, an honor inspectors said he has used to the fullest leaving all nations on the continent satisfied. This is why it is only Museveni who; every time Uganda chairs the AU Peace and Security Council, he must call for a meeting with fellow Heads of State and Governments to address pertinent issues on the continent.
The very recent such a meeting took place was on July 24, 2025 where he summoned a virtual meeting for the African leaders to deliberate on the situation in Libya.
During that meeting, Museveni made seven critical points that were later adopted and communicated out by the AU.
Firstly, he commended his counterpart Gen. Sassou Nguesso for his great work as chairman of the high-level committee on Libya. The meeting demanded that the ceasefire be maintained as fighting would not bring any solution, No meddling by foreign countries, Foreign fighters and mercenaries quit Libya, All Libyans to participate in the dialogue under Nguesso and the facilitators and Holding elections where all Libyans participate as a solution to the problem of Libya like it has been to all other countries.
“It is a shame that Africa has allowed this criminal activity to go on, we ought to get together and do something about Libya” Museveni noted.
Shortly, the AU Mission to The UN issued a communiqué aligning itself with the AUPSC in respect of the resolutions on Libya.
“We align ourselves with the communiqué issued by AUPSC on July 24th calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya. Libya’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. We also commend efforts of Libya’s neighbors and AU for fostering stability and reconciliation” it said.
Among Libya’s neighbors, is Algeria which also enjoys cordial relations with Uganda and is part of the tri-lateral mechanism on Libya alongside Tunisia and Egypt.
Little wonder therefore, its ambassador to Uganda sometime in 2021, paid a courtesy call on Vice President Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel at her office to further the already existing bilateral relations.
During their discussions according to inspectors, the Ambassador asked VP Alupo how best his country could help the people of Katakwi district in the spirit of Pan-Africanism for which Museveni is a strong advocate!
“You’re an elected leader, what can we do for you?” the Ambassador is quoted to have asked the VP who is also Katakwi Woman MP. She responded to him by requesting for support for Katakwi district hospital.
“Support my district hospital” she answered, a request that has finally come to fruition with Minister Matia Kasaija penning the deal this week on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE HOSPITAL
The signing of this mega deal comes at the right time. First of all, it helps President Museveni to rejuvenate his political fortunes in Katakwi in particular and Teso sub-region in general. The same facility is expected to expand its iconic services to the entire Eastern and Northern Uganda Regions due to its anticipated sophiscated facilities that are found nowhere else in those regions.
The $13.7m (about Sh50b) (Grant ) agreement was signed by the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija on behalf of government of Uganda and also witnessed by Dr. Ichumar Simon Omeke, the District Health Officer of Katakwi and other government officials.
The work is yet to commence but it comprises; the construction of an Outpatient Department complete with an Emergency Unit and Operating Theatre, Radiology Department (X-ray and Scanning), state of art Intensive Care Unit which is the first of its kind in Eastern and Northern Uganda.
Other facilities include; state of art Mortuary, 12 modern storied staff houses, Medical Waste Management facility, Incinerator, Renovation of the Maternity ward, Children’s ward, Male ward, and female ward, and General Ward.
The agreement also takes care of the construction of attendants kitchen, attendants Laundry, Placenta pit, Landscaping and beautification of the Hospital among other components.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Kasaija said this is not only a health Investment but also a social economic catalyst which aims at strengthening health care delivery in the country.
“This investment will uplift rural communities by stimulating local economies through job creation, demand for goods and services thereby contributing to regional growth and equity,” Kasaija better known as Mr. ‘Money is Available’ said with his trademark smile!
He expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria for this landmark cooperation agreement.
“Today marks yet another milestone in the ever-growing friendship and solidarity between our two nations. We are especially grateful that the first project under this framework is the expansion and rehabilitation of Katakwi General Hospital,” he said.
Kasaija emphasized that this Hospital Project will bring immense advantages to the people of Katakwi district and Eastern Uganda in terms of improving access to Specialized Care which reduces delays in treatment, particularly in emergencies, and improves survival and recovery rates.
He further appealed to the government of Algeria to also consider supporting the second phase of this project particularly the construction of additional modern wards, the provision of advanced medical equipment, and the training of health workers.
He stressed that the move will ensure that the skills of our Ugandan professionals match the new infrastructure, thus guaranteeing the highest standards of care for the people.
“We look forward to continuing this journey of cooperation, guided by the shared values of friendship, solidarity, and mutual development,” Kasaija said.
Katakwi Hospital was established as a dispensary in the 1956 during the colonial administration, then elevated to HC IV by the NRM government and consequently to a District Hospital in 2011 but there had been no commensurate improvement in its infrastructure to match a hospital status.
With this expansion and rehabilitation according to Dr. Omeke, the communities of Katakwi and the neighboring districts will benefit immensity in terms of reduced financial and social burden by minimizing long distance travel and associated expenses of accommodation, food, and transport for families.
“The project will decongest Regional Referral Hospitals hence allowing national hospitals to concentrate on patients requiring highly complex and super-specialized procedures,” he said.
He further noted that rehabilitation of Katakwi hospital will strengthen the health system and human resource development through training and mentorship hub for medical interns, nurses, and other health professionals.
Omeke said the construction will enhance emergency and Critical Care Services, cause economic and social Impact as the hospital is anticipated to stimulates local economies through job creation, demand for goods and services, and infrastructure development, thereby contributing to regional growth and equity.
He emphasized that the rehabilitation will further promote equity in healthcare delivery by bringing specialized services closer to rural populations narrowing the urban–rural health gap and ensure fairness in healthcare access for all citizens.
