By Robert Ojok Mone

Gulu City

The chairperson governing board Uganda cancer institute Prof. William Bazeyo is appealing to Gulu city authority for more land for expansion.

Prof. William Bazeyo says the institute has no funds for acquiring land and there is no plan to include budget for buying land for expansion of the facility. “If people in this region cannot offer land to put up facility, we shall not put needed facilities here but rather take it to another region including Arua if they offer space” Prof. Bazeyo added.

Currently northern Uganda cancer institute is sitting on a 4-acre piece of land but the facility needs more land for construction of staff quarters, Lagoon and others which the current space cannot cater for.

The Executive Director Uganda cancer institute Dr. Jackson Orem said they have submitted proposal for the project through international atomic energy agency with the hope that if the project gets the funding, it would see more infrastructure and equipment come to Uganda cancer institute where Northern Uganda Cancer institute may also benefit.

 
L & R Prof. Bazeyo and Gulu city Mayor Okwonga Alfred with other officials
 
The mayor of Gulu city Alfred Okwonga however committed to engaging Omoro district to offer more land for expansion.

However, he urged the ministry of local government to expedite the process of transfer of ownership of the property to Gulu city from the district local governments of Gulu and Omoro respectively.  

The in-charge northern Uganda cancer institute, Amos Obote however says cost of accommodation in Gulu city is double the cost of accommodation in Kampala.

The current facility is established on government land at Koro owned by Omoro district local government.  This is the first regional cancer institute to start working with other centers like Arua, Mbale and Mbarara yet to be constructed.

COVER PHOTO: Gulu city authorities, UCI staff and Board members interacting By Robert Ojok Mone