Amolatar begins construction of 250 million shs modern mortuary

18 August 2026, 4:14 am

By Winnie Auma

Amolatar District has started construction of a modern mortuary at Amolatar Health Centre IV, in a project expected to cost approximately 250 million shillings.

The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated on Monday, August 17, 2026, by Amolatar District Chairperson Morish Ogwal Omara.The mortuary is being constructed through a public-private partnership between Amolatar District Local Government and Amolatar Woman Member of Parliament Janet Auma Okao, following a resolution passed by the District Council.

Speaking during the ceremony, Ogwal Omara commended Okao for supporting the project, saying the mortuary will address a major gap in health service delivery in the district.He described the project as the first of its kind in the region and called on other development partners and well-wishers to support the district in addressing other service delivery gaps.

The District Chief Administrative Officer, Rodha Oroma, said the district lacked sufficient resources to construct a modern mortuary despite its importance to health service delivery.

Oroma said the project comes at a time when the district is lobbying the Ministry of Health to upgrade Amolatar Health Centre IV to a district hospital.

She pledged that the district would engage an engineer to supervise the construction works and ensure the facility meets national building standards and specifications.

The In-Charge of Amolatar Health Centre IV, Dr. Luru Walter, welcomed the project, saying the health facility has been facing challenges preserving bodies due to the absence of a modern mortuary.

Dr. Luru said the facility will reduce the financial burden on families who currently have to transport and preserve bodies of their loved ones at Lira Regional Referral Hospital.

Representing Janet Auma Okao at the ceremony, Sam Omara, proprietor of Uganda Christian Institute for Professional Development, pledged to ensure quality workmanship throughout the project.

He said locally available building materials would be used where possible, while the project would also create employment opportunities for members of the local community.

The project follows a resolution passed during a special sitting of the Amolatar District Council on August 3, 2026. The council adopted a motion presented by the Secretary for Health, Education and Community-Based Services, Harriet Akello, authorising the public-private partnership between Okao and the district local government.

The district leadership says the mortuary will strengthen health service delivery and provide families in Amolatar and surrounding communities with a more accessible and affordable facility for preserving bodies.