Kumi, Uganda — Residents of Ongino in Kumi District have appealed to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to help them recover hospital land which they claim was erroneously sold to an unknown person believed to be a soldier.
According to residents who spoke to this publication, the land measuring 450 acres was sold to a yet-to-be-identified man for Shs 430 million.
John Odeke, one of the residents, said the people behind the sale of the land are some religious leaders allegedly using the influence of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, a claim yet to be verified.
He said the sold land belonged to the hospital and was used by leprosy patients for exercise, adding that the sale has hindered further development of the hospital.
“The so-called investor has fenced off the land and is rearing animals on it under the protection of soldiers. We believe the only person who can help us is General Muhoozi Kainerugaba,” he said.
He said the religious leaders, whose names have been withheld for now, allegedly intimidated everyone on the land board, threatening to arrest whoever opposed their plan to sell off the land.
Ongino Hospital, officially now known as Kumi Hospital, was founded in 1929 by Dr. Wiggins of the Church Missionary Society. It was originally established as a leprosy colony and treatment centre for children.
Throughout the late 20th century, as the prevalence of leprosy declined, the institution expanded. In 1995, it was registered as a private not-for-profit organisation, and by 1998 it had fully transitioned into a general hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and rehabilitation services.
Residents say the sale of part of its land has affected the hospital’s development and have appealed to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to intervene and help recover it.
