Lira City, Uganda: Patients and visitors at Lira Regional Referral Hospital are set to face temporary movement disruptions as the facility begins a major road upgrade aimed at improving emergency response and patient flow.
Hospital management announced that rehabilitation works on a 450-metre stretch of Police Road will commence on Monday, April 27, 2026, targeting one of the busiest internal routes within the hospital complex.
According to Acting Hospital Director Andrew Odur, the project is part of ongoing efforts to modernise infrastructure and enhance service delivery.
“The section we are working on is central to our daily operations. It connects the main gate of the nursing school to the Outpatient and Emergency Unit and extends to the Ambulance Call and Dispatch Centre,” Dr Odur said.
He stressed that upgrading the road is essential to improving efficiency in emergency care. “Improving this road is not optional, it is necessary if we are to enhance efficiency in patient care and emergency response,” Odur added.
The project, awarded to MJ Contractors and Supplies Limited, will run for approximately two months and will include installation of heavy-duty paving, improved drainage systems, and street lighting to enhance safety, particularly at night.
Hospital officials noted that poor drainage has long affected the road, especially during rainy seasons, leading to flooding and difficult access for ambulances and patients.
“This project will address long-standing challenges of flooding and poor road conditions that have affected both patients and staff. We are investing in a durable solution that will serve the hospital for years,” Dr Odur said.
However, the works will require full closure of the affected road section, prompting management to issue guidance on alternative access routes.
Patients and visitors have been advised to use entry points through the Satellite Laboratory gate along Ngetta Road, the Eye Department gate, the Mortuary gate, and the Administration gate.
The hospital also acknowledged the support of Lira City Council in facilitating the temporary road closure to ensure smooth construction works.
Some staff members have welcomed the upgrade, citing frequent congestion along the route, especially during peak hours when ambulances are accessing emergency services.
“During peak hours, this road becomes chaotic. If improved properly, it will make a big difference in how quickly patients are attended to,” a staff member said.
Patients and caregivers, however, expressed concern about the temporary inconvenience, particularly for first-time visitors navigating the facility.
Hospital management maintains that the long-term benefits will significantly outweigh the short-term disruption.
“These improvements are being undertaken for the benefit of all our patients, staff, and the wider community. We are committed to creating a safer, more efficient, and patient-friendly hospital environment,” Dr Odur emphasised.
The upgrade reflects broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure in regional referral hospitals, where rising patient numbers are increasing pressure on emergency and outpatient services.
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