Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Hoima Regional Referral Hospital management have agreed to strengthen collaboration in healthcare service delivery as Uganda prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The commitment was reached on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, during a benchmarking visit by members of the top management of Lira Regional Referral Hospital to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Andrew Odur, Senior Executive Consultant at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, said the two institutions had agreed to explore areas of cooperation, particularly in diagnostic services, accidents and emergency care.

In a statement issued shortly after the joint meeting, Dr. Odur said the Lira team had gained valuable insights from their counterparts at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in areas including patient care and handling, intensive care services and security management.

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He noted that the partnership would be extended beyond the top management level to include Heads of Department, Senior Consultants, Consultants and middle-level managers, with the aim of strengthening knowledge-sharing and coordinated healthcare delivery.

Dr. Ibrahim Bwaaga, Senior Executive Consultant at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, said the two hospitals had also agreed to engage the government on the provision of an air ambulance to support both facilities.

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He said an air ambulance would significantly enhance preparedness and response to accidents and medical emergencies, particularly during AFCON 2027.

The Board Chairperson of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Canon Sabiti Mbabazi, applauded the management of Lira Regional Referral Hospital for choosing Hoima as a benchmarking partner.

Canon welcomed the initiative to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions.

What the Lira team saw

The Lira team was taken on a guided tour of the hosts facility, visiting several specialised units, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dialysis Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Accident and Emergency Department, among others.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, improve emergency preparedness and promote the sharing of expertise and best practices between the two regional referral hospitals as Uganda prepares to host AFCON 2027, the statement disclosed.

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will cohost Africa’s premium football competitions next year, with each nation speeding up preparations to include logistical requirements before that day.

Lira and Hoima cities are some of places where more than sports tourism is expected next year.