By Spy Uganda
Uganda and Algeria have taken a major step in strengthening bilateral ties with the signing of a cooperation agreement that will inject significant funding into Uganda’s healthcare sector.
The landmark deal, signed in Algiers by Uganda’s Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelkarim Bouzred, provides a $13.7 million (about UGX 50 billion) grant for the expansion and rehabilitation of Katakwi General Hospital. The funding comes through the Algerian International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development Agency.
“This project will significantly transform healthcare delivery for Katakwi and the neighbouring districts, benefiting over half a million people—not only for today, but for generations to come,” said Kasaija. He emphasized that the upgrade will reduce the financial and social burden on families forced to travel long distances for specialized treatment, while also decongesting referral hospitals across the region.
Planned works under the project include a modern Outpatient Department with an Emergency Unit and Operating Theatre, a Radiology Department with X-ray and scanning facilities, and a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit—the first in Eastern and Northern Uganda. Additional facilities will include a mortuary, maternity and children’s wards, staff housing, a medical waste management system, and landscaping of the hospital compound.
Kasaija hailed the initiative as both a health investment and a socio-economic catalyst. “This investment will uplift rural communities by stimulating local economies through job creation and increased demand for goods and services,” he said. He also appealed for a second phase of support to add modern wards, advanced equipment, and training for health workers.
On his part, Minister Bouzred praised the deepening partnership, pledging Algeria’s continued support. “We applaud the bilateral relations between our countries, and we commit to fully back the implementation of this agreement,” he noted.
Dr. Ichumar Simon Omeke, Katakwi District Health Officer, welcomed the project as a long-awaited breakthrough. He said the hospital, which began as a dispensary in 1956 before being elevated to district hospital status in 2011, has long struggled with inadequate infrastructure. “This rehabilitation will improve emergency care, reduce delays in treatment, and serve as a training hub for health professionals,” he said.
Residents in Katakwi have expressed optimism that the expansion will not only enhance healthcare but also reduce the urban–rural divide in access to services.
The signing marks a milestone in Uganda–Algeria relations, with healthcare delivery at the center of their growing partnership.
