Lira, Uganda | Lira Regional Referral Hospital will host the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a drug that has shown near 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection in clinical trials, a breakthrough long-acting prevention injection, on Friday, April 17, 2026, positioning the facility among the first in Uganda to receive the initial consignment.
Hospital Director Dr. Andrew Odur said the Ministry of Health, in partnership with stakeholders, selected Lira to lead the launch, with preparations already underway, including staff training to handle the new intervention.
Speaking during a media dialogue at the hospital’s Ambulance Call and Dispatch Centre boardroom on Friday, 10 April, 2026, Odur described the development as a major boost to HIV prevention efforts, noting that Lenacapavir is administered twice yearly.
He said the hospital continues to face infrastructure and staffing challenges, revealing that the facility operates only five theatres despite handling about 10,000 patients annually, yet requires at least 10 to meet demand. He called for the expansion of theatre space and recruitment of more specialists.
On financing, Odur defended the hospital’s private wing, saying it is in line with the government directive for public institutions to generate local revenue to support service delivery and national budget priorities. He added that such funds have enabled key developments at the facility.
The director also disclosed that 10.4 acres of hospital land have been encroached on, warning that the administration will work with security agencies to evict illegal occupants to pave way for expansion.
He further raised concern over increasing cases of drug abuse in the subregion and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, attributing the latter to low uptake of routine medical checkups.
Principal Hospital Administrator Peter Okello Odeke linked rising mental health cases to drug addiction and said the private wing offers clients privacy while generating non-tax revenue used to support operations, including staff remuneration.
Public Health Consultant Dr. Ronald Musinde warned against unsafe practices, revealing that 23 out of 50 children died within a month due to complications arising from locally performed tonsillectomies. He urged the public to seek proper medical care and avoid unverified treatment methods.
Head of Clinical Laboratory Department Bernard Ongora said the hospital’s internationally accredited laboratory serves as a referral hub for Northern Uganda, handling complex tests from regions such as Acholi and Karamoja with results that can be used any other country.
He, however, noted that misinformation has led to underutilisation of services and increased cases of self-medication, contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
Assistant Resident City Commissioner Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele, described hospital as one of the best-managed public institutions in the city and called on the media to report responsibly, emphasizing the need for balanced, factual and constructive journalism rather than negative coverage.
He highlighted alcoholism as a major threat to security in the city, blaming it on the low cost of alcoholic beverages that has made them widely accessible.
He also revealed that some supermarkets and shops are selling harmful substances that affect mental health, noting that investigations into such businesses are 60% complete and that action will soon be taken against those involved.
He warned that these drugs are a leading cause of mental illness in the community and a growing burden on public hospitals and government agencies such as UNBS.
Additionally, he raised concern over misleading labels on alcoholic drinks, explaining that some products claim to contain 12% alcohol yet have levels as high as 60%, with some manufacturers not following proper fermentation processes.
Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole praised the media engagement, saying it will help counter misinformation and improve public understanding of health services. He urged journalists to uphold professionalism and promote factual reporting.
The engagement attracted 43 journalists from 17 radio stations, online platforms, national television stations, and newspapers across Lango subregion.
Meanwhile, the hospital will host a team from the Uganda Heart Institute from April 12 to conduct free heart surgeries for pre-screened children, followed by a plastic surgery camp on April 15 to correct cleft conditions.
Despite these developments, the hospital is no longer grappling with power outages, having maintained a stable electricity supply since March 2025 following the installation of a dedicated power line, which has significantly improved service delivery.
Additionally, three regional referral hospitals, Jinja, Gulu, and Kabale, have visited the facility between January and April this year for benchmarking, highlighting growing recognition of the facility’s improving standards and service delivery.
