Kiryandongo Hospital ‎Runs out of Beds and Supplies following Road Crash

Kiryandongo Hospital has run out of medical supplies and facilities as victims of a major accident overwhelm the facility. At least 46 people died and 56 others sustained multiple injuries following a collision near Asili Farm in Kataleba Village, a few kilometers from Kiryandongo town along the Kampala–Gulu highway.

The crash involved an Isuzu bus (UBF 614X) belonging to Nile Star Coaches traveling from Kampala to Gulu, a Tata lorry, a UAM 045V Isuzu bus belonging to Planet Company, and a Toyota Surf owned by Congolese passengers. The injured and deceased were rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital.

Dr. Godfrey Kisembo, the Medical Superintendent, said the facility ran out of supplies while handling the victims. He noted that essential items, including gloves, were exhausted during the emergency. “The emergency ward has only 12 beds, yet 56 patients were admitted to ensure all lives were saved,” Kisembo said. He added that the hospital has the capacity to store only six deceased bodies, but 46 were transferred to the facility.

Due to limited capacity, 28 patients had to be referred to hospitals in Gulu and Kampala for further management. However, 26 patients with minor injuries were treated and discharged.

Kisembo said the hospital is working with other facilities to restock supplies while waiting for support from the National Medical Stores. Irene Adokorach, a resident, said the emergency highlighted the need to elevate Kiryandongo Hospital to regional status.

Linos Ngompek, the Kibanda North Member of Parliament, said upgrading the hospital would improve services and better handle such emergencies. He noted that the facility’s location along the highway exposes it to frequent crash victims with limited resources.

This is not the first time Kiryandongo Hospital has been overwhelmed. In 2018, the hospital ran out of medical supplies while responding to an accident that killed 23 people and critically injured 15 others. Currently, essential items such as antibiotics, painkillers, IV fluids, gloves, cotton, and sutures are out of stock. The hospital has also run out of fuel for patient referrals. 

Following the Gaagaa bus accident in Nanda Village, about 12 kilometers from Karuma Township in Mutunda Subcounty, victims were first taken to Kiryandongo Hospital before being referred to Mulago and Nsambya hospitals.

Dr. Kisembo said the hospital also faces recurring drug shortages due to the influx of refugees seeking medical care in the district. On average, Kiryandongo Hospital handles at least 11,000 patients per quarter, including numerous crash victims.