Lira, Uganda | Lira Regional Referral Hospital has commissioned a new 45-bed Urogynecology and Fistula Ward and Training Centre, a major boost to maternal health services in Northern Uganda.
The facility, constructed at a cost of Shs600 million, was built under a partnership between the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Ministry of Health Uganda through the MUSA Project.
The ward was officially commissioned on March 7 by the Minister of Health and Lira City Woman MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Dr. Andrew Odur, described the facility as a milestone that will significantly improve the management of complex obstetric and gynecological conditions in the region.
Dr. Odur said the hospital records about 8,400 deliveries annually, with 25 percent of mothers undergoing Caesarean section, translating to roughly 2,100 operations each year.
“Previously, mothers who underwent Caesarean section had to share a ward with only 21 beds, which was insufficient given the demand. This new facility will greatly ease congestion and improve the quality of care,” he said.
He added that the project, which began in November 2025, was completed ahead of schedule and is expected to enhance specialized services and training for medical professionals.
The Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the hospital, Dr. James Okello, said the region faces a significant burden of obstetric fistula cases.
According to him, the department handles between 100 and 120 fistula-related cases every month through surgical camps and routine services.
“We started serious urogynecology work around 2020, and the demand has been overwhelming. This new ward will provide the much-needed space to manage these patients,” Dr. Okello said.
He applauded the leadership of Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero for championing health sector development and supporting initiatives that enable health workers to expand their skills.
Dr. Okello also revealed that the hospital expects specialized medical equipment from the United States, which will further strengthen surgical services beyond urogynecology.
“As a department, we pledge to maintain the facility and ensure it is put to good use,” he said.
The project was spearheaded by urogynecology specialist Assoc. Prof. Musa Kayondo from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, who represented the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline Byakika‑Kibwika.
Prof. Kayondo said the centre will serve not only as a treatment facility but also as a training hub for specialists, particularly in urogynecology — a super-specialized field dealing with disorders affecting the female pelvic floor.
He noted that the fellowship programme at MUST is currently the first urogynecology training programme in East, Central and Southern Africa, aimed at building capacity to address the growing burden of pelvic floor disorders.
“This centre is more than just a building. It is a place where lives will be restored and where the next generation of specialists will be trained,” he said.
The Chairperson of the hospital board, Dr. Fred Nyangkori, said despite the new ward, the hospital still faces serious infrastructure challenges.
He revealed that postnatal mothers often sleep in corridors or temporary tents due to limited space in the maternity ward.
“Our dream is to establish a fully fledged maternity complex with a dedicated obstetric theatre. This will greatly improve maternal health services for the region,” he said.
In her remarks, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero said the facility was constructed to respond to the high prevalence of fistula cases in the Lango sub-region, which has one of the highest backlogs of unrepaired fistula in the country according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
She attributed the situation partly to high rates of teenage pregnancies and obstructed labour.
“My appeal to our girls is to avoid early pregnancies when their bodies are not yet mature enough, because this is one of the major causes of fistula,” she said.
The minister also revealed plans to establish a five-storey Maternal and Child Health Complex at the hospital to address congestion and improve neonatal and maternal care services.
During the same event, the Resident City Commissioner of Lira, Lawrence Egole, warned against encroachment on hospital land, saying such actions delay key development projects.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Lira City, Sam Atul, called on the government to direct the contractor handling the Apac–Lira–Kitgum road project to also upgrade a two-kilometre stretch within the city, starting from Shell Lira, passing through Old Akii Bua Road and Lira Regional Referral Hospital, and ending at Corner Kamdini in Teso Bar.
The new facility is expected to strengthen specialized maternal health services and reduce the backlog of fistula cases across Lango, Acholi, Karamoja and neighbouring regions.
Health officials say the ward will also help restore dignity to women suffering from fistula, many of whom face stigma and social isolation due to the condition.
