NUMEM Hospital OPD Block 95% Complete, Targets November Opening

22 October 2026, 4:56 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

The Northern Uganda Medical Mission (NUMEM) Hospital outpatient department (OPD) block in Pader District is between 90 and 95 per cent complete, with management targeting an official opening in November 2026.

The Shs850 million facility is located in Owilkitiko Village, Kineni Parish, Pukor Sub-county, and is expected to improve access to healthcare services for residents of Pader and neighbouring districts.

Dr. Benson Oyo, the director of NUMEM, said the OPD block is the first phase of a broader plan to establish a fully fledged hospital offering specialised medical services in the region.

Speaking during a joint inspection of the facility on Wednesday, October 21, Oyo said the remaining work included completing electrical and water installations and addressing other requirements before the building could become operational.

He said NUMEM intended to begin with outpatient services as the organisation continued mobilising resources to develop additional hospital departments.

The hospital’s master plan includes a maternity block, an operating theatre, medical wards and a research centre intended to support scientific research in the region.

Oyo added that the hospital planned to recruit specialists for its various departments, including a physician for the OPD, a gynaecologist for maternity services and a surgeon for the operating theatre.

Dawkins Kolo, the site engineer, said construction had reached approximately 90 to 95 per cent completion, with the remaining work largely involving final electrical and plumbing connections and arrangements for a reliable power supply.

Kolo said the project team was considering whether to extend the main electricity line to the facility or install a solar power system. He said the matter would be discussed with the organisation’s board before a final decision was made.

He expressed confidence that the outstanding work could be completed by November 15, 2026, at the latest.

Benedict Lubang, the Pader District Engineer, said the building plans had been reviewed and approved by the relevant authorities before construction began.

He said the district engineering office had also conducted periodic supervision to monitor the quality of the work.

However, Lubang emphasised that the facility would have to meet the required safety standards before an occupancy permit could be issued.

These requirements include installing fire extinguishers, clearly identifying emergency exits and ensuring that escape routes remain accessible.

He added that the district would assess the quality of the water supply before certifying it for use at the hospital.

Catherine Amony, representing the Chief Administrative Officer of Pader District, welcomed the project, saying the investment would strengthen healthcare delivery in the district.

Amony urged NUMEM management to implement the recommendations of the district’s technical team and establish a maintenance plan to protect the facility and ensure its long-term sustainability.

The inspection brought together district technical officers, political leaders and representatives of NUMEM to assess construction progress and identify outstanding requirements ahead of the planned opening.

Once operational, the OPD block is expected to mark an important step towards NUMEM’s broader ambition of establishing a hospital equipped to provide specialised healthcare services to communities in Pader and neighbouring districts.