Prime
Government backs Aga Khan on Naguru hospital project
The outgoing AKDN representative, Mr Mahmood Ahmed
What you need to know:
Advantage. Dr Rugunda said the project is a significant contribution to the development of Uganda.
Kampala. The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, has reassured the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) that government will support its construction of the ultra-modern university hospital in Naguru dedicated to offering specialised treatment.
Dr Rugunda, while speaking at a reception to commemorate the 59th anniversary of His Highness the Aga Khan’s ascension to the office of the Imam on Wednesday, described the hospital as “significant contribution” to the development of Uganda.
Construction of the first phase of the hospital to cost Shs3 trillion ($100m) is expected to be completed by 2020 with a 150-bed tertiary wing but the plan is to have an overall 600 bed capacity. The hospital will provide advanced care with specialties in women and child health, cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, regenerative medicine and neurology.
The hospital complex will sit on 60 acres of land in Nakawa reclaimed from 160 acre Nakawa-Naguru land which was in 2005 given to an investor, Opec Prime property, for redevelopment into a mega satellite city.
The hospital is one of the several investments by the AKDN.
“Over the years the AKDN has employed a uniquely diverse approach to its work here in Uganda. It consists of development agencies, each bringing a different kind of intervention; some focusing on economic, social and cultural development,” Dr Rugunda added.
In attendance were select members of the Muslim Ismaili community, government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corp. The reception also bid farewell to the outgoing AKDN resident representative Mahmood Ahmed, who has served in Uganda since 2005 and officially welcomed the new designate representative Amin Mawji.
The head of the AKDN department of Diplomatic Affairs, Arif Lalani, said the Aga Khan is part of the fabric of Uganda with investments that cut across, geared towards improving life.
THE BACKGROUND
The Aga Khan launched construction of the multi-billion hospital complex in December last year. It will be part of an integrated healthcare system in the region and will underline the e-health system to enhance relationship with the other two Aga Khan hospitals in Nairobi and Karachi, Pakistan, both of which are certified and accredited by the US Joint Commission International as gold standard/ first class hospitals.
