St. Charles Lwanga Buikwe Hospital in Uganda Celebrates 20th Anniversary

For two decades, the St. Charles Lwanga Buikwe Hospital  built in 2006 by the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague with the support of Czech donors has been serving the poor rural district of Buikwe. Each year, more than 25,000 people receive treatment here — from young children to the elderly. For many of them, healthcare would otherwise be out of reach.

In a country battling malaria, HIV/AIDS, child malnutrition and high maternal mortality, the St. Charles Lwanga Buikwe Hospital is a place that saves lives and health every single day.

„When we began working in Buikwe, access to healthcare was far from guaranteed. Mothers, newborns and people with treatable conditions were dying needlessly. We wanted to change that critical situation — and thanks to the support of donors from the Czech Republic, we succeeded,“ says Jarmila Lomozová of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague.

Healthcare within reach, even in remote areas

The Buikwe Hospital has 86 beds across four wards and offers comprehensive care, including general and specialist outpatient clinics — an HIV clinic, gynaecology, dental and eye care. A mobile clinic that makes regular visits to remote villages brings basic healthcare to people beyond the reach of standard medical facilities.

One of the hospital’s key departments is the maternity ward. In rural Uganda, many women still give birth at home or with traditional birth attendants, often at great risk to both mother and child. Thanks to modern equipment and skilled staff, the hospital is able to handle complicated deliveries, including caesarean sections. Last year, 809 babies were born here.

Modernisation made possible by Czech donors

By local standards, the hospital is exceptionally well equipped and ranks among the most modern non-governmental healthcare facilities in the region. It makes use of digital X-ray and 3D scanning, modern ultrasound, new surgical equipment, specialist ICU beds and an ambulance.

The hospital laboratory carries out more than 20,000 tests each year, essential for the early diagnosis of a wide range of conditions. The installation of solar panels last year has helped reduce operating costs and, above all, ensure a stable supply of electricity.

The hospital is governed by a Czech-Ugandan board

The St. Charles Lwanga Buikwe Hospital was founded by the Catholic Diocese of Lugazi. Strategic governance is the responsibility of a board composed of representatives of the diocese, the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague and senior hospital staff. The hospital is run by a team of 70 local employees, supported by interns and volunteers from among Czech doctors and nurses.

Operations are funded through a combination of contributions from the Ugandan government, patient fees and donations from Czech donors. „The Czech Hospital is one of the very few long-running healthcare projects funded from the Czech Republic. It is indispensable to the local communities. It brings help to thousands of the poorest families — help that many describe as a miracle,“ concludes Jarmila Lomozová.