Uganda has signed a major health agreement worth Shs50 billion with Algeria to improve Katakwi General Hospital.
The deal was signed in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, by Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, and his Algerian counterpart Abdelkarim Bouzred.
This partnership is part of a bigger plan led by the Algerian International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development Agency, which supports African nations in areas such as health, education, and infrastructure.
The funds will expand and renovate Katakwi General Hospital, which currently serves over 500,000 people in Katakwi and neighboring districts.
The first phase of the project will focus on infrastructure upgrades.
Later phases are expected to include:
New, modern wards
Advanced medical equipment
Training programs for Ugandan health workers
Currently, many people in eastern Uganda travel long distances to reach well-equipped hospitals. This project will:
Reduce pressure on overcrowded referral hospitals,
Cut down on transport costs for patients,
Bring specialized health services closer to rural communities.
Ugandan Minister Matia Kasaija called the agreement a “transformative milestone”, saying it will not only help now but also benefit future generations.
Algerian Minister Abdelkarim Bouzred emphasized that the deal shows Algeria’s commitment to African unity, development, and solidarity.
While the current focus is on Katakwi Hospital, the agreement opens the door for more health projects in Uganda, making this one of the most important partnerships in Uganda’s health sector in recent years.
