VP Alupo launches construction of Muni University Teaching and Research Hospital
In his speech read by Alupo, President Museveni said that the institution "will bring services closer to the people. I wish to commend the University for designing an ambitious architectural plan and widening the scope of services it will offer to our people.”
The Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, unveiling the foundation stone of the Muni teaching hospital on Friday, August 21. (Photos by Robert Ariaka)
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The Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, has launched the construction of a medical and teaching hospital at Muni University in Arua.
Alupo, who unveiled the foundation stone of the Muni teaching hospital on Friday, August 21, represented the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The teaching, research and hospital construction works launched in Muni will be financed by the Government of Uganda to the tune of sh182.65b.
The first phase lasting 30 months will be undertaken by Roko Construction Limited. The second phase will have an administration block and biometric building.
The complex will have a 200-bed capacity Level 6A hospital providing referral and teaching facilities. Apart from training medical professionals, the establishment will deliver highly specialised, complex medical care and conduct advanced medical research.
The hospital is conceived as an integrated academic health system: a 200-bed tertiary and quaternary referral hospital, physically and academically fused with the Muni University Medical School, whose nine health sciences programmes will train the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and scientists of this nation inside its wards, theatres and laboratories from the first day of operation.
While representing President Museveni, Alupo said the Teaching and Research Hospital is yet another development in the University’s expansion plan.
In his speech read by Alupo, President Museveni said that the institution "will bring services closer to the people. I wish to commend the University for designing an ambitious architectural plan and widening the scope of services it will offer to our people.”
The facility, he added, will reduce medical tourism, which is constantly draining the country’s resources, as many people seek better health care services outside Uganda.
“It will be a center of excellence for the provision of health services, training of health care professionals, research and innovations," he stated while reiterating Government’s commitment to funding the construction and providing the equipment for the Teaching and Research Hospital.
Museveni's statement also highlighted that the tremendous growth of the University, as shown by increased student enrollment, has increased academic programmes mainly in STEM, research output and significant community engagement mainly through the University’s Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment Initiative (RETI) program.
Muni University was among the five African universities to receive the inaugural Laureate of Africa Higher Education for Transformation Prize.
The President saluted Muni University Council, Management, staff and students for these wonderful achievements, emphasising that progress is commendable.
He also thanked the People of West Nile for supporting the growth of Muni University and encouraged parents, especially from the West Nile Sub-region, to send their children to Muni University.
He also advocated for more enrollment in courses in science and technology to boost students' employability in the private sector,” the vice president said.
Alupo tree grows in Muni
Responding to the request of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Katrini Anguma, Alupo said there is a need to increase the staffing level to above 50 per cent, tasking the representative of the Minister of Education to consider the matter and ensure the staffing level is increased to enhance teaching and learning.
Doctor Charles Ayume, the State Minister for Primary Health Care, said that the groundbreaking is a long-term vision for having a medical school and teaching hospital in the region.
He emphasised local content to ensure the people from West Nile benefit from government scholarships and get employed once they complete their studies to retain medical experts in the country.
This, he said, needs affirmative action for the students from West Nile to join university.
The State Minister for Primary Health Care and MP for Koboko Municipality, Dr Charles Ayume, paid special recognition to the prevailing peace and security, electricity connectivity and infrastructural development in the sub-region.
He added that such important enablers have consequently led to the construction of the teaching and research hospital. He urged the university administration to protect and utilise these investments responsibly.
On behalf of Muni University, the Chairman of the Council, Dr Joel Aita, thanked the government led by President Museveni for this generational project.
“The ground we break today, we break for the sick who will be healed here, for the students who will be trained here, and for the nation whose money and dignity will be kept at home because of what rises here,” Dr Aita said.
Retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Muni University Chancellor, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, extended heartfelt appreciation to President Museveni and his government for this historic investment.
“Today’s groundbreaking has laid a foundation for healing, teaching, scientific research, innovation, and above all, hope for generations to come. May it serve Uganda, West Nile, and the wider international community,” he said.