People in Uganda’s West Nile region are facing growing challenges with eye health as specialized eye care services have been absent for over 40 years. With no nearby facilities offering advanced treatment, many are forced to travel more than 300 kilometres to Kampala a journey that is costly, time-consuming, and often prohibitive for vulnerable populations.
Seventy‑year‑old Anna Pifua of Abira village in Zombo District described how her declining vision pushed her to almost sell her assets in hope of treatment, only to abandon the plan when she realised the travel and costs involved were more than she could manage. Elderly people are particularly affected, with cataracts and other treatable conditions going unaddressed until they lead to severe vision loss.
An eye‑care screening camp at Warr Health Centre IV in Zombo identified 655 patients, out of which 391 were scheduled for cataract surgery. Despite support from NGOs and subsidised services, medical experts say these efforts are just a fraction of what is needed, as private clinics are overstretched and most people cannot afford the costs.
Calls are growing for the government to build a specialized eye care hospital in West Nile to reduce travel time for treatment, lower costs, and prevent worsening of avoidable blindness. Leaders including the Alur king and medical practitioners emphasize that many in the region are losing sight due to distance, poverty, and lack of awareness.