Jinja, (UG):- After surviving a life-threatening accident on the River Nile in Jinja, British property investor and entrepreneur Samuel Leeds constructed a 64-bed hospital ward, as a memoir of the incident that left him stranded and in need of urgent medical care.
Leeds’ harrowing experience began on his visit to the Nile in Uganda for a staycation trip. During his stay in Jinja, Leeds found himself in a perilous situation when he got involved in a severe accident while exploring the River Nile, falling from a waterfall onto the rocks.
The injuries Leeds sustained left him immobilized and unable to fly back to the UK for treatment, but his rescue and survival came with the miraculous presence of Dr Jamela, one of the few orthopaedic surgeons in the area at the time of the accident.
Dr Jamela’s prompt medical intervention, according to Leeds, was a real lifesaver. He had spent ten days in a local hospital recovering from his injuries.
Leeds says he witnessed the harsh realities of Uganda’s healthcare system; overcrowded wards, limited space, and a lack of specialized medical staff. The hospital where he was treated had no orthopaedic surgeon on-site, a situation that would have been catastrophic for him if not for the coincidental presence of Dr Jamela.
Grateful for the care he received, Samuel Leeds felt a deep sense of responsibility to give back to the community that had saved his life.
Recognizing the urgent need for better healthcare facilities, he made it his mission to build a hospital ward that would provide critical services for future patients in need. Thus, the idea for the Samuel Leeds Ward was born.
Despite scepticism from various quarters including concerns that the Ugandan government would not permit the construction or that the project would take years to complete Leeds pressed forward.
“So many people said it wouldn’t be possible, that the government wouldn’t allow me to build it, or that it would take years and cost billions,” Leeds remarked, adding; “…they didn’t realize that I am not only a billionaire in Uganda, but also an experienced property developer.”
Today, the Samuel Leeds Ward is now fully operational and staffed with new doctors, nurses, and resident surgeons. Dr. Jamela, the surgeon who saved his life, now oversees the team of surgeons working in the ward.
Her (Jamela) presence at the ward ensures that patients who come through its doors will receive the specialized care that was once sorely lacking in the area.
The entire project was completed at a cost of just over 1 billion Ugandan shillings (£300,000), an amount Leeds pointed out was roughly equivalent to the price of a Lamborghini.
“This is the same cost as buying a Lamborghini,” Leeds noted. “Kind of sickening. Nothing wrong with driving one, but perhaps consider building a hospital ward first?”
The UK billionaire reflected on his journey, emphasising the importance of using wealth to give back. “I am a huge advocate for making money, but only when you remember the dark places you came from and use your money to help others. God put me in that pit for a reason, and what the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good.”
In addition to his work in healthcare, Leeds says he is also making strides in education in Uganda. The Samuel Leeds School has opened its doors with over 400 students registered.
Unlike other schools, this private institution offers financial literacy courses alongside core subjects a personal mission for Leeds, who recalls being told he was “stupid” in school and never learning about business or finance.
“We are not only building schools that provide this education, but we are also working with the Ugandan government to improve the curriculum within state schools,” Leeds explained.
This publication also understands that his next project will be a Centre of Excellence, providing online courses and remote training for both students and teachers.
Leeds has pledged to the Ministry of Education that he will build the centre, volunteer his time to teach, and provide computers.
This initiative, Leeds hopes, will revolutionise education in Uganda and potentially serve as a model for the UK. “Once people see that the right education is the future of prosperity, I pray the UK will follow and allow me to offer my voluntary services to bring financial literacy across the country.”
While he is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship and financial prosperity, Leeds believes that those who have been blessed with wealth should remember to give back and support communities in need.
Samuel Leeds’ contributions to healthcare and education in Uganda are set to leave a lasting legacy, one that will continue to impact generations to come.
And as he prepares to fly back home, the UK investor leaves behind not just a hospital ward but a lasting legacy in Uganda a project born out of gratitude and a commitment to help others. His journey from patient to benefactor serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have when they choose to act out of compassion and a desire to make the world a better place.
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