By Delux Emmy Alomu
KATAKWI
Residents of Katakwi and Amuria districts have expressed their appreciation for the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade, commending them for their exemplary work in completing construction projects at local health facilities.
This acknowledgment came during a recent inspection of the ongoing projects at Katakwi and Amuria General Hospitals on March 9, 2026.
During the visit, it was noted that the construction of a modern Outpatient Department (OPD) block at Amuria General Hospital, with a budget of about Shs 1 billion, is close to completion.
This facility will provide a range of essential services, including various clinics, a maternity wing, diagnostic areas, laboratory space, a multipurpose hall, a casualty department, dental services, an Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) department, and a mini theatre for minor surgeries, among others.
Phase one of the construction, which had faced a standstill for over five years, was handed over to the UPDF Engineering Brigade following the awarding of the contract.
Remarkably, this phase is currently about 90% complete. Designed to take nine months, the project is expected to wrap up in just seven months.
So far, the block has been fully roofed, beams installed, plastering completed, the initial stage of electrical work carried out, and cement benches are being constructed.
The team is now focusing on final touches and the installation of the drainage system.
Capt. Noah Opio, the project manager from the UPDF Engineering Brigade for the Eastern region, has confirmed that documentation for phase two is in progress.
This upcoming phase is anticipated to cost over Shs 700 million and will involve the installation of doors, painting, ceiling works, mechanical systems, completion of electrical setups, and external work like drainage management and paving.
Capt. Opio also revealed that the laying of terrazzo, which was originally planned for phase two, will now be completed in phase one to ensure it aligns perfectly with door fittings before the painting phase begins.
In Katakwi District, the state-of-the-art surgical theatre at Katakwi General Hospital, which was slated for a 12-month completion, has been finished in just six months.
Currently, 90% of the work is complete, with only final touches such as electrical and door installations, compound leveling, and internet wiring remaining.
This project, valued at nearly Shs 1 billion, was awarded to the UPDF Engineering Brigade in September 2025 and is scheduled for official commissioning next month.
The facility will include two operating rooms, a recovery room for patients, offices for surgeons and anesthetists, a reception area, and necessary restroom facilities.
Capt. Opio attributed the successful outcome to timely government funding and the brigade’s ability to execute high-quality work.
The Katakwi theatre is anticipated to be inaugurated by either President Museveni or Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, which will significantly enhance surgical services and reduce the necessity for patients to travel to Soroti or Matany for treatment.
Residents have compared the army’s efforts to those of local contractors, voicing a preference for the army’s work, which they believe is superior and completed ahead of schedule.
Agnes Anyiko, a resident of Akeriau sub-county in Amuria district, praised the army’s standards, contrasting it with some contractors she accused of providing subpar work.
She urged President Yoweri Museveni’s government to continue involving the UPDF Engineering Brigade in future construction projects nationwide to ensure timely and quality completions.
Kevin Ajiko from Willa sub-county noted that many community members previously recognized the army solely as fighters; however, this recent commendable work has demonstrated their effectiveness in various capacities.
Likewise, Calvin Okello from Getom sub-county in Katakwi district commended the army’s quality construction and called for the government to sustain their involvement, particularly for road projects in areas frequently affected by heavy rains.
The community also expressed gratitude for the government’s efforts to bring healthcare services closer to them.
Dr. Joseph Emuron, the medical superintendent of Katakwi General Hospital, shared that the facility, which upgraded from a Health Centre IV to full hospital status in 2011, had been relying on an outdated and dilapidated theatre that only accommodated one patient at a time.
With the completion of a modern theatre that includes two operating rooms, Dr. Emuron anticipates a rise in daily surgeries from five to over ten, greatly enhancing patient care.
He highlighted that the district has faced significant challenges, particularly with specialized cases, due to the earlier theatre’s limitations, which was initially designed for a Health Centre IV.
