In line with its quest for city status, Gulu District Local Government has formally begun the hunt for land upon which the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital complex can be expanded. 

The LCV Chairman for Gulu district, Mr. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, said on Tuesday that the regional referral hospital will have to be transformed into a national referral hospital once Gulu becomes a city. 

According to Mapenduzi, once the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital becomes a national referral hospital, it will be required to accommodate 1, 500 beds.  Currently, the hospital holds less than 500 beds. 

Mapenduzi said that they have identified Gulu central police station, which is situated just next to the hospital from the western side. This means the police barrack will have to be relocated to the outskirts of the township, once the land had been sourced. 

He added that the Laroo Division headquarters will also be required to move to another area to pave way for the hospital expansion. 

Mapedenzi said that they have already written a letter to inform the office of the Gulu Municipal Town clerk over the new development, so as to look for alternative land to relocate the Laroo division headquarters block.