ALGER, ALGERIA – Finance Minister Matia Kasaija has inked a landmark deal with his Algerian counterpart, Abdelkarim Bouzred, a significant move to strengthen bilateral ties and fund the upgrade of Uganda’s healthcare system.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The signing ceremony, which took place in Algeria, marks a new chapter in the partnership between the two nations, facilitated through the Algerian International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development Agency.
A substantial $13.7 million (UGX 50 billion) grant for the expansion and rehabilitation of Katakwi General Hospital is the cornerstone and first project of the new cooperation agreement.
Minister Kasaija hailed the agreement as a testament to the deepening friendship between Uganda and Algeria and elaborated on its transformative impact on the Teso sub-region.
“The signing of this agreement is another milestone in the ever-growing friendship and solidarity between our two nations. This project will significantly transform health care delivery for Katakwi and the neighboring districts, benefiting over half a million people, not only for today, but for generations to come,” Kasaija said.
Minister Kasaija outlined the project’s key benefits, emphasizing its drastic improvement to access to specialized local medical care and highlighting its strategic importance to Uganda’s national health system.
He noted that the upgraded facility will help decongest overburdened regional referral hospitals while simultaneously strengthening local health systems and contributing to human resource development in the medical field.
Algerian Finance Minister Abdelkarim Bouzred reciprocated the sentiment, commending the robust and longstanding bilateral ties between Algeria and Uganda.
He formally pledged, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, his country’s full support for the successful implementation of the cooperation agreement.
The agreement signifies a concrete step in international South-South cooperation and is expected to deliver a major boost to healthcare accessibility and quality in Eastern Uganda.