Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) staff have elected new leaders to steer the institution’s Hospital Parliament for the next one year, with Assistant Nursing Officer Emily Musiimenta becoming the first woman to serve as Chief Whip.
The elections, held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, were presided over by the hospital’s Human Resource Officer, Patrick Ebong, and saw Associate Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Benard Odong elected Speaker, replacing Dr. Omongo Bosco Ekwan, whose term ended last week.
Dr. Odong joins a list of previousspeakerss that include Dr. Andrew Odur and Dr. Juliett Adongo Ochol, who have led the hospital’s internal parliamentary system since its establishment.
Principal Orthopedic Officer Peter Abele was elected Deputy Speaker, replacing Dr. Euleriano Tumwekirize, while Musiimenta’s election as Chief Whip marked a milestone for women’s representation in the hospital’s leadership.
Dr. Jimmy Alal was elected Clerk to Parliament, with Assistant Nursing Officer Fiona Amongi chosen as his deputy.
Senior Executive Consultant Dr. Andrew Odur, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, congratulated the newly elected leaders and urged them to build on the achievements of their predecessors while addressing issues affecting the hospital’s operations.
Dr. Odur said the Hospital Parliament had distinguished LRRH by providing a platform through which staff could raise concerns, discuss operational challenges, and find solutions without unnecessary delays.
He encouraged the incoming leadership to sustain this approach and work towards further improvements in the hospital’s management and service delivery.
In his remarks, Dr Odong pledged to promote transparency, accountability, and a results-oriented approach in the conduct of parliamentary business, as the new leadership prepares to formally assume office next week.
Established in 2022 under the leadership of then Hospital Director Dr. Nathan Onyachi, the Hospital Parliament, brings together middle-level managers and heads of departments for weekly meetings to discuss operational and management challenges and develop practical solutions. Its membership includes representatives from the Outpatient Department, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics and the Private Wing, among other units.