History of SJHK
St Joseph’s Hospital Kitgum is located in Kitgum Municipality about 3 kms from the Kitgum town center. It is a private not for profit public hospital under Gulu Archdiocese and belongs to the Network of Uganda Catholic Health facilities.
The current hospital capacity is 280 beds. The hospital was established 1960 with 100 beds.
The present hospital started as a clinic (Aid Post) under the veranda of the Comboni Sisters in 1925. Later in 1938 a dispensary was opened under a Mango tree in the convent of the Comboni Missionaries (sisters). The dispensary, under the mango tree provided OPD services for minor ailments and was run by Comboni Sister.
Second World War interrupted services..
and the dispensary temporarily closed.
After the world war the Verona Fathers and Sisters consulted the local community occupying the present land the hospital is located to provide the land for development. The community willingly accepted and evacuated the place. To evacuate or move aside means “Nyiki” in luo.
In 1952 a block was constructed and the dispensary was upgraded to a health center that provided maternity and OPD services.
Two years later, 1955 the Provincial Medical Officer Gulu visited the facility and noted the very good work being done and encourage collaboration with the government hospital to improve and provide services.
Funds for additional new construction came through the Comboni Missionaries who also managed the hospital on behalf of the Bishop of Gulu Diocese.
There was rapid infrastructure development in the health center and in January 1960 the Ministry of Health upgraded the health center into hospital with 100 beds. Since that time the hospital grew to a bed capacity of 350 beds because of demand during the peak of insurgency in Kitgum, however with the return of peace the capacity has been downsized to 280 beds.
The comboni Sisters left active management of the hospital in 1971. Since then the hospital is managed by, Board of Governors led by the Archbishop of Gulu and the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu provide a fundamental input in the management of the hospital.
Dr. Atim Pamela
Year (2013-date)
Dr. Lawrence Ojom Year (2002-2013)
Dr Lawrence Ojom served as the medical superintendent at the time when the insurgency was at the climax.
He served at a very difficult time when the hospital faced a lot of sanitation challenges as a result of the influx of the community taking refuge in the hospital
Dr. Theresa Pellio Year(1996-2002)
Dr. Theresa Pellio was a served as the medical superintendent from the year (1996-2022).
She made greater improvements in the management of human resource by creating offices of the hospital administrator and human resource.
Dr. Adolf Diefanhardt Year (1990-1995)
The presence of Dr. Adolf as the medical superintendent from the year 1990 – 1995 registered a lot of successes in the following areas;
Extension of the present administration block, medical ward, putting up doctor’s quarter, chapel, Nutrition unit, workshop, etc.
Dr. Filippo Ciantia Year (1982-1987)
Dr. Fillippo worked in the hospital as a medical superitendent from 1982-1987 at the time of
over throw of government of Uganda in 1986. He loobied the support from Italian Government and put-up 2 blocks for staff and greatly improved the laboratory.
Dr. Rev. Fr. Albert Manuel Grau Year (Late 60s and 70s)
By 27th September 1971, Dr.Rev.Fr.Albert Manuel Grau, a Comboni missionary from Spain, became the first medical superintendent for the hospital.
With the heart of love and mercy for people, he worked tirelessly to uplift the standard of the hospital.