Over 3,000 residents across the Karamoja sub-region have benefited from free medical services following a multi-day health outreach organised by the UPDF third Infantry Division.
The medical camp is part of nationwide community activities being conducted ahead of the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary celebrations, which will be marked in Kabale District.
The initiative focused on extending essential healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities where access to health facilities remains limited.
The Commander of the third Infantry Division, Maj Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, said the outreach was designed to support elderly and vulnerable populations, though patients of all ages were attended to.
“This medical camp is meant to benefit our older people who are not able to travel to distant health facilities,” Maj Gen Sserunkuma said.
He added that such engagements play a key role in strengthening civil-military relations and complement the ongoing Usalama Kwa Wote security operation, which he said has restored peace and opened doors for development in Karamoja and surrounding districts.
Moroto District Local Government Chairperson, David Koryang, welcomed the UPDF intervention, noting that communities such as the Tepeth continue to face serious healthcare access challenges due to the region’s rugged terrain.
“The effort by the UPDF to offer these medical services cannot be taken for granted,” Hon. Koryang stated.
According to the camp’s lead physician, Private Dr Andrew Auki, the mobile medical teams began operations in Karenga on December 5 and have since moved across several districts within the sub-region.
Dr Auki reported that a total of 3,030 patients—mainly elderly persons, women, and children—have so far received treatment. The highest numbers were recorded in Karenga (693), Kotido (603), Napak (484), Nabilatuk (412), Kaabong (396), Nakapiripirit (385), and Moroto (87).
The most common illnesses managed during the outreach included respiratory tract infections, malaria, urinary tract infections, and eye infections, underscoring the critical healthcare needs within the region.
