LIRA – Saturday,4th April 2026 – The management of Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) has strongly refuted a wave of misleading reports circulating on social media, describing them as a coordinated campaign by ill-intentioned actors to tarnish the institution’s reputation.
In a press statement signed by the Ag. Hospital Director, Dr. Andrew Odur, the Hospital clarified that the ongoing misinformation is largely based on a recycled Daily Monitor article from 23rd May 2025, headlined “Babies dying, patients lost: The broken state of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.”
Dr. Odur stated that the portrayal is inaccurate and does not reflect the current reality at the 456-bed facility, which continues to serve as a benchmark institution for other Regional Referral Hospitals in Uganda.
Contrary to claims of dilapidated structures, the Hospital highlighted its modern infrastructure, including a fully functional Emergency and Accident Unit, a SANAS-accredited satellite laboratory, a modern ambulance and dispatch centre, and a dedicated Gynaecology Ward.
While acknowledging that LRRH was established in 1928 and retains some historic buildings, management noted that no structure has been condemned by any competent authority. A comprehensive Master Plan is already in place to modernise the facility, including a planned Maternal and Child Health Complex.
The Hospital dismissed as “false” allegations that patients – especially children – are forced to share beds. Management maintains strict standards to ensure appropriate accommodation, with only one attendant allowed per patient at any given time to minimise overcrowding.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), one of the largest in Uganda, has a fully equipped 30-bed capacity and is progressing toward Level III status.
To demonstrate the quality of service delivery, LRRH released its 2025 performance data:
· Over 100,000 outpatients attended to.
· More than 10,000 surgeries conducted, with paediatric cases accounting for 30%.
· Approximately 200 dialysis sessions monthly for 150 patients.
· Over 6,000 mothers successfully delivered.
Dr. Odur added that statements previously attributed to the Principal Hospital Administrator, Mr. Peter Okello Odeke, were taken out of context and do not accurately reflect the Hospital’s position.
The Hospital warned that while certain sections of the Computer Misuse Act have been annulled, sharing false and defamatory information remains unlawful.
“This will not be accepted,” the statement read.
Management urged the public to disregard misleading information and to seek verified updates only through official Hospital communication channels.
