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The Installed Gulu Regional modern incinerator machine in Angaya, Unyama Sub County, Gulu District By Richard Odong Gulu City The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, has announced November 2026 as the target date for commissioning the long-aw
The Installed Gulu Regional modern incinerator machine in Angaya, Unyama Sub County, Gulu District
By Richard Odong
Gulu City
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, has announced November 2026 as the target date for commissioning the long-awaited Gulu Regional Modern Incinerator, a facility expected to transform medical waste management across Northern Uganda.
Construction of the regional facility began in 2022, but its operationalisation has been delayed due to pending technical installations, including a power backup system and generator.
Speaking during a media tour of the facility in Angaya, Unyama Sub-county, Gulu District, Emmanuel Ainebyona, Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health, said the remaining works are nearing completion.
“This facility will serve the entire Acholi Sub-region, and we hope that by November we shall officially commission it. What has delayed its functionality is largely the installation of the power backup system and generator, which are currently under procurement through the Global Fund. Global fund is part of the funders for the incinerators project” Anibyona said.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health addressing journalists from Angaya- Gulu District
The incinerator is expected to become a central disposal point for infectious and hazardous medical wastes generated by health facilities across the Acholi Sub-region, replacing unsafe methods such as open burning.
According to Susan Abbo, a Public Health Specialist at the Ministry of Health, the facility will significantly improve environmental health and reduce public exposure to hazardous medical waste.
She explained that once the plant becomes operational, health facilities will no longer resort to open burning because medical waste will instead be transported to the regional incinerator for safe disposal.
“Open burning will completely stop. All the medical waste will be transported here for proper management, and the risks posed to surrounding communities will be greatly reduced,” Nabor noted.
The Principal Administrator of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Dr. Walter Uryekwun, described the facility as a major milestone in improving healthcare waste management and environmental protection in Northern Uganda.
He said the incinerator will reduce pollution caused by the burning of medical waste within Gulu City and eliminate the improper disposal of hazardous waste.
Dr. Uryekwun also urged private health facilities to collaborate with Gulu Regional Referral Hospital to ensure all medical waste is safely disposed off through the new facility.
“This is going to be a very big deal. The pollution resulting from medical waste incineration in Gulu City will reduce, and we do not expect medical waste to be littered around. Private health facilities should coordinate with Gulu Regional Referral Hospital so that all medical waste is incinerated here,” he said.
The completed incinerator building in Angaya, Unyama Sub County, Gulu District
The multibillion modern incinerator is designed to process up to 50 kilograms of medical waste per hour, offering an environmentally friendly and efficient solution for the disposal of healthcare waste generated by hospitals, health centres and private medical facilities across the region.
Officials say the project marks a significant investment in strengthening Uganda’s healthcare infrastructure while promoting safer waste management practices and protecting communities from the dangers associated with poorly managed medical waste.
Once commissioned, the facility is expected to serve as a regional hub for medical waste disposal, contributing to cleaner health facilities, a healthier environment and improved public health outcomes in Northern Uganda
The Gulu facility is one of five regional medical waste management centres being established by the government. Similar facilities are under development in Mukono, Lira, Mbarara and Fort Portal.
Ministry of Health says health facilities in Uganda produce 75 million kilograms of waste every year excluding wastes from private facilities.
Ministry of Health officials, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital management and journalists in front of the incinerator facility.