Lira regional blood bank nears completion as construction hits 98%

20 February 2026, 12:35 pm

By Winnie Auma

Construction of the regional blood bank for Lira Regional Referral Hospital, located at Lira University, has reached 98 per cent completion.

The project coordinator from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Brigade, Second Lieutenant Fahad Kisosonkole, said construction began in April 2025, and the team is optimistic that the project will be completed by July this year.

Kisosonkole revealed that one billion shillings has so far been spent in the first phase on major construction works. He added that an additional one billion shillings will be released to complete the remaining works, including plastering, roofing, and the installation of doors, among other tasks.

The project manager from the Ministry of Health, Alex Tumwesigye, said the government initiated the construction of regional blood banks to improve blood transfusion services across the country.

Tumwesigye noted that the ministry is prepared to release additional funds in the next financial year for the construction of staff quarters and the procurement of equipment to ensure the blood bank becomes fully operational.

The Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Andrew Odur, said the facility will greatly benefit residents of the Lango sub-region by improving access to blood transfusion services, citing the high demand for blood due to various medical conditions.

Dr Odur also appealed to the Ministry of Health to consider the early allocation of funds for the construction of staff quarters so that they can become operational at the same time as the blood bank.

Polycarp Ojok, from the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, called for regular coordination meetings among stakeholders to ensure proper planning and layout of the blood bank, noting that some construction errors are difficult to rectify once work is completed.

Sam Opito, the Estates Manager at Lira University, expressed appreciation to the government for the initiative and commended the UPDF for involving local residents in the construction works.

The Ministry of Health launched the construction of the regional blood bank last year at a total cost of 9.6 billion shillings. Of this amount, 5.6 billion shillings was allocated for construction works, while 4 billion shillings was set aside for the procurement of equipment.