Gulu regional referral hospital undergoes major facility upgrades

29 September 2026, 10:38 am

By Emmanuel Mwaka

Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has embarked on a series of major structural renovations aimed at overhauling its aging infrastructure and improving healthcare services across the Acholi sub-region.

Speaking on the ongoing works, the hospital’s Principal Assistant Secretary, Walter Oriyekwun, expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda and development partners for supplying the necessary funding, as well as the local public for their patience during the transition.

Originating as a health center in 1934, many of the hospital’s standing structures date back nearly a century. According to Orieykwun, facility leadership opted for a continuous renovation program starting in the 2024/2025 financial year to modernize existing buildings due to limited capital for entirely new construction.

To date, completed phase renovations include the maternity ward, surgical ward, private wing, medical ward, mental health unit, general medicine store, and the mortuary. The refurbished mortuary now features a new refrigeration unit capable of holding six bodies, alongside created chamber spaces accommodating eight additional bodies, bringing total capacity to 14.

Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has launched a 315 million UGX renovation work at its Outpatient Department (OPD), being executed by Kema Technologies Limited which will take over a two-month period for completion.

To maintain care during construction, clinical services have been temporarily relocated across the hospital: general clinics operate from the former ART clinic compound and shelter tents, dental services have moved to the private wing, and orthopedic services are hosted in radiology.