The hospital is in Arura district, North West Uganda which borders with Congo and Sudan and is resident to nearly a million people. There is a large government hospital in Arua town so Kuluva Hospital mainly serves the rural areas south of Arua as well as receiving patients that cross the border from Congo and Sudan.
Patients have to pay a low level fee for treatment however this is still more than some can afford. The government hospital is free but often bribes are taken from patients before they receive treatment so some patients choose to come to Kuluva Hospital as they know it will be a fair price/not corrupt even though they live closer to the government hospital.
Poverty is much higher than in Southern Uganda and people in the surrounding areas are mostly subsistence farmers living in grass thatched huts with minimal amenities. Most people have access to pit latrines, water is usually taken from a borehole or streams and there is only electricity in the main town. Transport is by foot or bicycle if they can afford it.
Hi Pete and Emma We had such a good time with you but too short. We are now back in Manchester and forging ahead with our link in Gulu. We hope to be back in Gulu towards the end of Feb for three weeks. I am glad I am missing the snakes Pete is discovering, not my favourite reptile. The interest in Uganda is growing daily and all roads seem to lead there. We will continue to pray for your work, your health, the people of Arua and the staff at Kuluva Hospital, we know how hospitable the Ugandan people are and how much they appreciate help. Give our love to Laura, we would hope to meet up with you when you return to the UK for three months nex t year and with Laura during the remainder of her stay at Kuluva. Every Blessing Marian. ps my final year student Paul Cullato’s fiance is living in your house and I believe all is being looked after.
By: marian ssurgenor on November 25, 2008
at 7:50 pm
I highly enjoyed reading this article, keep up posting such interesting articles!
By: rotBrienmem on January 4, 2010
at 11:20 am
I spent several years in West Nile in the late 1950s, have a smattering of Lugbara language (very rusty) knew the Williams brothers very well, then served some years on the Canadian AIM Council. I am planning a family trip to West Nile this July, but am having trouble finding hotel accommodation in Arua. Can you advise? Our party will include two daughters, one son and his wife, and my wife and myself.
Kind regards
Bob Macdonald
By: Bob Macdonald on May 3, 2010
at 2:24 pm
Hi Bob you should stay at the White Castle Hotel its a great hotel 1km outside of Arua, you’ll l it!
http://www.whitecastlehotel.com/location.html
Regards
Pete
By: hulmes on May 30, 2010
at 8:48 pm
Hi Pete,
My wife and I worked at Kuluva in the early 70′s with Ted & Peter Williams. I was the Hospital Manager/Maintenance man.We have just returned from visiting Kuluva first the first time in all those years. Lovely to see things moving on and chatting with old friends
Disappointing to see that the medical work is desperate for someone to lead it forward. Local opinion is that if you have money it’s better to go into town as treatment at Kuluva is not good. May be a bit harsh but we were only there for a couple of hours but it did seem lacking in anything happening. I know Ted always said that the town hospital would have to take over one day but I don’t think it yet.
By: Robert Dungey on April 4, 2011
at 3:10 pm
Hi Peter and Emma,
Are u both still at Kukuva hospital right now? I am looking up contacts of Ted & Peter Williams family at Readings for my daddy who worked with them from 1954 till when they left Uganda as hospital clerk. he’s called Onesmus Amaa Lulua. He would love to communicate with their children at least as he’s right now abroad with me. Thanks for all what you are doing for Kuluva and the people around. God bless you.
By: Silas Mundua Lulua on July 19, 2011
at 12:26 pm
Hello Robert Dungey. I am a historian working on the history of cancer research in Uganda from the 1950s to now and am hoping to do some work in the north in Kuluva. From what I understand the hospital was involved both in cancer registration and Burkitt’s lymphoma work.
Are you based in the UK? Do you remember other people you worked with at the hospital in the 1970s? Are the Williams still alive? Does cancer research and care from that period bring any memories?
It’s been extremely difficult to find information on the hospital so far. And so I am just visiting this coming week.
With best wishes,
Marissa Mika
PhD Candidate
University of Pennsylvania
By: Marissa Mika on August 18, 2011
at 5:50 am
My late father Eriamu Awua could have worked with you. Could you have known him?
By: candia peter on December 16, 2011
at 8:42 pm
I am one of the daughters of Dr. Ted Williams and I now reside in UK. Both Ted and Peter Williams have passed away (in ’92 and ’97). All the research documents are now with the Wellcome Library, 183 Euston Rd., LONDON, NW1 2BE, UK. I hope this will help Marissa Mika.
I am hoping this blog is still continuing – the information has just come to me!
By: Joy Densham on January 6, 2012
at 7:03 pm
Hi, I have read your article with interest as Kuluva was my birthplace and home for 19 years. I am Dr.Peter Williams’s eldest daughter from Kuluva now living in the Uk. Elsie Williams, wife of Dr. Peter, who was also a nurse at Kuluva lives in Reading but you probably know all this already
By: Dorothy Williams Owen on January 15, 2012
at 10:30 pm