The Most Rev. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, MCCJ, Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, paid a pastoral visit to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor Health Training Institute on Friday, 14 August 2026, where he met students, staff, and hospital leaders and celebrated Holy Mass as part of his ongoing ministry to young people in the Archdiocese.
The Archbishop was warmly welcomed by students, who lined the route leading to the institute and performed the Acholi royal dance, Bwola, in a colourful display of culture and hospitality as he joined staff and guests for the day’s celebrations.
Welcoming the Archbishop, the Scientific Director of St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Dr. Emmanuel Ochola, described the visit as an important moment of encouragement and unity for both the hospital and the training institute.
“We hear in you the cry of the Church, especially to the young people,” Dr. Ochola said. “You have come to strengthen our unity of purpose and our unity of commitment as one Lacor.”
He noted that the hospital and training institute share a common mission of evangelisation through healthcare and education, reminding students and staff that caring for the sick is itself a ministry.
“If we are providing healthcare well, then we are evangelists, because that is the ministry of Jesus. As he evangelised, he healed,” he said.
Addressing students, Archbishop Wokorach shared reflections from the recent plenary assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), held in Nairobi, where Catholic bishops identified ministry to young people as a priority for the coming years.
The Archbishop noted that young people constitute the majority of the population across many countries in the region and emphasised the importance of investing in their formation and future.
“It is a time when one needs to prepare for the future,” he told the students. “You are here preparing your future so that tomorrow you contribute positively to our society, to our Church, to your family, and to yourselves. Take it seriously.”
He encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunity to pursue health training, noting that many families make significant sacrifices to support their education.
“Many parents struggle,” he said. “But if you are here, my plea to you is really: take it seriously.”
During his remarks, Dr. Ochola highlighted Lacor’s longstanding commitment to producing health workers who are not only skilled but also guided by integrity and compassion.
Since its establishment in 1973, the Health Training Institute has focused on forming healthcare professionals who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to serve patients with dignity and professionalism.
“We touch their heads to bring them knowledge. We touch their hearts to bring them the right attitude and love for the patient. And we touch their hands so that they can acquire the skills,” Dr. Ochola said.
He praised the institute’s contribution to addressing critical workforce gaps in Uganda’s health sector, including pioneering training in nurse anaesthesia and more recently introducing programmes in theatre assistance, with plans to launch critical care training in the near future.
Archbishop Wokorach also congratulated the institute on its reputation for producing competent graduates.
“We are happy that those who pass through here are sought after even before they finish,” he said. “That means the quality of training is good.”
Both the Archbishop and Dr. Ochola addressed challenges facing young people today, including substance abuse, peer pressure, and unhealthy use of social media.
Archbishop Wokorach urged students to avoid drugs and behaviours that undermine their future, emphasising personal responsibility and mutual support.
“Drugs ruin,” he warned. “Make Lacor Training Institute a drug-free place.”
Dr. Ochola similarly acknowledged the growing influence of alcohol, drugs, and social media among young people and encouraged students to remain focused on their training and professional development.
The Archbishop also called on students to nurture their faith and Christian values alongside their professional studies.
“You are in an environment where we wish that the Catholic sense of life grows in you,” he said. “Build your life so that God may be present at all stages.”
The Archbishop commended the hospital and institute for their commitment to cleanliness, discipline, and quality service, noting that a clean environment contributes directly to health and wellbeing.
He also paid tribute to the Corti Foundation for its continued support to Lacor Hospital, acknowledging the considerable effort involved in mobilising resources to sustain healthcare services.
“They do it day and night,” he said. “Sometimes they are busier than the bishop. They move from one meeting to another, travelling here and there, all to get something to sustain us.”
The Archbishop encouraged students and staff to use resources responsibly and avoid waste so that the hospital can continue offering quality services to those in need.
As he concluded his visit, Archbishop Wokorach encouraged students, especially those joining the institute for the first time, to feel at home and make the most of their time at Lacor.
“You behave like you are very familiar with the environment,” he told the students. “Feel at home always. Make it your home and your preparation will also be a good one.”
The pastoral visit concluded with prayers, blessings, and interactions between the Archbishop, students, and staff, reinforcing Lacor’s commitment to forming competent, compassionate, and faith-driven healthcare professionals in service of humanity.
