A fire of unknown origin gutted Arua City Referral Hospital in the early hours of Monday morning, forcing the emergency evacuation of 340 inpatients — including 22 newborns in the neonatal unit — onto the hospital grounds.
No fatalities have been reported; staff credit a rapid and organised evacuation. However, medical equipment worth an estimated UGX 12 billion was destroyed, including the hospital's only CT scanner, two theatre sets and the pharmacy stores.
Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has travelled to Arua and described the loss as "catastrophic for West Nile healthcare."
Patients have been transferred to Anaka Hospital and private facilities in Arua City. The government has announced emergency procurement of replacement equipment.
