Speaking to our reporter on Monday afternoon at Warr Islamic Health Centre II, Dr. Nyathirombo revealed that he had diagnosed 10 patients with total blindness, who were set to undergo surgery.
A team of volunteer medical doctors has pitched camp at Warr Health Centre IV and Warr Islamic Health Centre II in Zombo District, offering free treatment to thousands of patients with different health conditions. The week-long medical camp is part of activities leading up to a Thanksgiving prayer in honor of Dr. Amos Nyathirombo, a celebrated ophthalmologist and medical researcher.
The Thanksgiving event is scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2025, at Okemu Primary School playgrounds in Warr Town Council under the theme: “Service with Sacrifice, Dedication, and Passion.” The team of doctors is providing specialized services including eye surgeries and vision care, hearing treatment, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, general surgery, and pediatrics. Medical professionals from Gulu City, Bukedea District, Arua City, Greater Nebbi, Holy Family Nyapea Hospital, and the Zombo District Health Department are part of the outreach.
Speaking to our reporter on Monday afternoon at Warr Islamic Health Centre II, Dr. Nyathirombo revealed that he had diagnosed 10 patients with total blindness, who were set to undergo surgery.
“Me alone, I have seen ten blind people. These people have reversible blindness. If we do their surgery today, they will be able to see. We want to give back to the community, and this is a pre-activity for my thanksgiving prayer. We expect President Museveni to come,”
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Dr. Nyathirombo noted that the overwhelming turnout may exhaust the available medicines, urging for more support to sustain the outreach. The medical camp runs from June 16 to June 19, 2025, and has drawn praise from local residents. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the free services and commended the doctors for their sacrifice.
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Among those benefiting from the camp are Florence Amia of Ajei Village, Umbila Parish; Sarah Rashid from Atyenda Central Cell in Zombo Town Council; Alice Ngabitho from Alangi Sub-county; Patrick Uthuma Bikadhu, Zombo District’s senior education officer; Haji Saidi Uchaki; and residents of Alengukuma Cell in Paidha Town Council.
President Yoweri Museveni, senior Ministry of Health officials, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Director, and prominent doctors from across East Africa are expected to attend Friday’s thanksgiving ceremony in honor of Dr. Nyathirombo.
Ahead of the event, Dr. Nyathirombo urged young doctors to uphold integrity in their practice and avoid compromising healthcare standards. On May 27, 2025, the Zombo District Council passed a resolution praising Dr. Nyathirombo for his decades of selfless medical service. He has treated millions of patients with eye complications, spearheaded the eradication of River Blindness in the district, and helped revive St. Aloysius College Nyapea from near closure.
His recognition comes months after President Museveni awarded him the Diamond Jubilee Medal during Women’s Day celebrations on March 8, 2025, in Kyankwanzi District. Dr. Nyathirombo is part of a distinguished team of 19 African scientists whose research led to the FDA approval of Moxidectin, a drug found more effective than Ivermectin in treating Onchocerciasis (River Blindness). Their findings were published in The Lancet in January 2018.
“In some villages in Zombo, 100% of the population was affected,” he explained.
“This disease is prevalent across Sub-Saharan Africa, and our research has put Uganda at the forefront of global health innovation.” He added that the drug could become freely available worldwide by next year.
Beyond research, Dr. Nyathirombo has provided free medical services across West Nile, Northern Uganda, Karamoja, and Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also led a national survey on Trachoma that informed policy changes at the Ministry of Health and helped Uganda eliminate the disease as a public health concern.
Meanwhile, Dr. Benson Oloya, a chemist at Muni University and chairperson of the event’s organizing committee, said preparations are in high gear, with political, religious, and security leaders coordinating to ensure a smooth and colorful celebration.
Alex Pithua
Freelancer