A look at Shs1 billion Samuel Leeds Hospital Ward in Jinja

Samuel Leeds, a British national, revealed that he constructed the ward, which was inaugurated by Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng, at a staggering cost of Shs1 billion in Uganda.

In a testimonial shared on X, he explained that the construction of the facility was inspired by a serious accident that nearly claimed his life when he fell down a waterfall on the River Nile, landing directly on the rocks.

"Unfit to fly home, stuck in Uganda, left for dead," he said in the post, adding that his life was saved by Dr. Jamela, whom he has since appointed to run the facility.

"She was one of the very few Ugandan orthopaedic surgeons who just happened to be in the area on the day of my accident. Whilst in hospital for 10 days, I saw the drastic needs. No space and not a single orthopaedic surgeon on site," said Samuel Leeds.

"This is what prompted the construction of this new 64-bed hospital ward, which is now staffed with new doctors, nurses, and resident surgeons. Guess who the surgeons are reporting directly to? Dr Jamela."

The Samuel Leeds Hospital Ward in Jinja was constructed in just seven months and cost just over Shs1 billion.

"This is the same cost as buying a Lamborghini. Kind of sickening. Nothing wrong with driving one, but perhaps consider building a hospital ward first?" he remarked. "I am a huge advocate for making money, but only when you remember the dark places you came from and use your money to help others, as well as living a nice life, of course."

He added that the Samuel Leeds Hospital Ward is the biggest development he has ever built from scratch, with 64 units.