Katakwi General Hospital will be expanded after Uganda and Algeria signed a major cooperation agreement. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, currently in Algeria, signed the agreement on behalf of the Ugandan Government, with his Algerian counterpart, Abdelkarim Boudjedra.
The first project under this agreement will be the expansion and rehabilitation of Katakwi General Hospital, funded by a grant of US$13.7 million (about Shs50 billion).
The agreement, signed by the ministers, aims to support project implementation in Uganda through the Algerian International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development Agency.
Minister Kasaija called the signing a milestone in the growing friendship and solidarity between the two nations. He said, "This project will significantly transform healthcare delivery for Katakwi and neighbouring districts, benefiting over half a million people for generations."
He added that the project would ease access to specialised care, reducing the financial and social burdens caused by long travel distances and expenses for families.
The project will also decongest regional referral hospitals, strengthening the health system and human resource development. Kasaija requested that the second phase include the construction of modern wards, advanced medical equipment, and health worker training.
The Algerian Finance Minister praised the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and pledged full support for the cooperation agreement.