UGANDA: HEALTH MINISTER SUCCUMBS TO PRESSURE, RELEASES GULU UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL DOCUMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

By Okumu Livingstone Langol
GULU CITY – WEDNESDAY, July 30, 2025

Tensions have intensified between Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Gulu University Vice Chancellor Prof. George Openyjuru Ladaa after the Minister released vital documents concerning the planned Gulu University Teaching Hospital, but failed to indicates “Regional Heart Institute” in via social media instead of the formal university channels.

Prof. Openyjuru criticized the move as a breach of official protocol, saying it undermined the University’s leadership and bypassed established administrative processes.

“The document was not sent directly to Gulu University but posted publicly on social media. We will raise this matter with the University Council and take it to President Museveni,” Prof. Openyjuru remarked.

The dispute traces back to a presidential directive instructing the Ministry of Health to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General to sign an MoU with VAMED Engineering GmbH for the construction of a €155.2 million, 324-bed specialized teaching hospital. This project is set to be financed by Germany’s Export Credit Agency and delivered on a turnkey basis.

In December 2024, a stakeholder meeting at Gulu City Council—attended by the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI), Gulu University, and Gulu City authorities—resolved that the University would allocate five acres for a Regional Heart Center to serve Northern Uganda. This agreement was confirmed in January 2025 correspondence to UHI, but Prof. Openyjuru says there has been no formal follow-up from the Ministry of Health.

On November 12, 2024, Gulu University leadership met with the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss degazetting 93 hectares of Gulu Central Forest Reserve to create space for the hospital complex. Prof. Openyjuru accuses Dr. Aceng of acting on personal grievances, despite the University meeting all requirements for the project.

The hospital and heart center are part of Uganda’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plans III and IV, which aim to establish the country as a regional hub for medical tourism. While UHI is building a USD 75 million headquarters in Kampala, it also plans to create four regional centers—including one in Gulu—to bring specialized care closer to rural populations.

Officials warn that prolonged delays could worsen healthcare challenges in Northern Uganda, forcing patients to continue traveling long distances for advanced treatment.

Efforts to obtain comment from Dr. Aceng and the Ministry of Health spokesperson were unsuccessful, leaving the project’s progress uncertain.