MASINDI, March 27, 2025 – Government, through the UPDF Engineering Brigade, has commenced the construction of new staff quarters at Masindi General Hospital, following the deterioration of the previous quarters, which had demoralised staff at the medical facility.
The construction works were officially launched by Darius Nandinda, the Masindi Resident District Commissioner [RDC], at the hospital premises on Wednesday.
According to Yunusu Ntegeka, the Commander of the Western Uganda UPDF Engineering Brigade, the new development will include a 16-unit, multi-storey staff quarters that will be self-contained.
Ntegeka added that the project, estimated to cost Shs 1.5 billion, has already secured Shs 500 million. He assured the public that the construction would adhere to high-quality standards and be completed on time. “We do not compromise on quality. We will ensure the project is completed on time,” Ntegeka stated.
Dr. Rogers Musinguzi, the Acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital, expressed concerns about the hospital’s current condition, highlighting insufficient space, deteriorating structures, and congestion.
“We were forced to relocate mothers to the men’s ward due to a lack of space in the maternity ward. We have also been dealing with leaking roofs in the staff quarters,” Dr. Musinguzi explained.
He commended the government for its intervention, acknowledging that the previous conditions had been untenable. “We are grateful to the president for responding to our cries. The environment we have been working in was not conducive,” Musinguzi said.
At the beginning of 2023, the government initiated the reconstruction of the hospital, allocating Shs 50 billion for the project, which will be completed in phases. During a meeting with Masindi district leaders in 2023, Engineer Alex Tumwesigye, the Senior Civil and Sanitary Engineer in the Ministry of Health, explained that Shs 32 billion would be dedicated to civil works, while Shs 18 billion would go towards purchasing and installing necessary equipment.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi district LCV Chairperson, highlighted the dire situation at the hospital, noting that even staff morale had significantly dropped due to the poor conditions.
“The hospital is in a deplorable state, with dilapidated structures and inadequate space in the maternity ward. The theatre doesn’t meet the required standards. We are pleased to see engineers finally on the ground, and we believe that service delivery will improve once the hospital receives the much-needed facelift,” Byaruhanga said.
Ronald Akugizibwe, the Member of Parliament for Buruli County, praised President Museveni for professionalising the army, noting that the UPDF Engineering Brigade has consistently delivered quality work while saving costs on past projects.
“I want to thank the Commander-in-Chief [President Museveni] for thinking about Masindi. This hospital is nearly 100 years old and is in a poor state. The President’s response is timely,” Akugizibwe added, stressing the need for continued advocacy for more funding to complete the entire reconstruction of the hospital.
Darius Nandinda, the Resident District Commissioner of Masindi, called on residents and leaders to ensure proper supervision and monitoring of the project to guarantee its success.
Nandinda emphasised the need for quality workmanship and timely completion to prevent theft of building materials during construction.
History of Masindi Hospital
Masindi General Hospital is one of Uganda’s oldest hospitals, originally constructed in the 1920s as a dispensary for Uganda Railways. Today, it serves over 500,000 people across multiple districts, including Nakasongola, Kiryandongo, Bulisa, Masindi, and parts of Hoima.
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