Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have commissioned works on the construction of the military referral hospital for the army.
The ground breaking ceremony on Saturday was presided over by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Adolf Mwesigye.
The ceremony was part of the activities to commemorate the 37th UPDF Tarehe Sita Anniversary and the first EAC Armed Force day due to take place in Butaleja on 6th February 2018.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs expressed his delight at the occasion pointing out that the military referral hospital will handle complicated, emergency and referred cases from health centres and military hospitals that would otherwise have required being handled abroad or in private hospitals.
The facility will provide specialized and high quality medical care to the UPDF and their families as well as saving resources on treatment abroad.
In addition, the Military referral hospital will complement the services of Mulago Hospital at National Level as well as serving as a money generating venture.
The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Aceng commended the UPDF for being always available to provide health care in times of emergencies and in also areas where they are deployed to work.
The construction of the hospital will approximately take a period of three years to complete at an estimated cost of Shs 123 billion.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi said that the construction of the referral hospital will greatly improve the welfare of soldiers and their families.
Present at the function were also the State Minister of Defence for General Duties, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola, Ag Permanent Secretary Edith Buturo, the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Joseph Musanyufu and other Ministry of Defence and UPDF senior officers.
