A life-threatening accident on the River Nile in Uganda became the catalyst for UK property investor Samuel Leeds to fund and construct a new 64-bed hospital ward in Jinja.
The investor, known for his property ventures in the UK, took on this philanthropic project after surviving a severe accident while visiting Uganda.
Leeds recalls the day he almost lost his life after falling down a waterfall and crashing onto the rocks.
“I had a really bad accident and almost died by falling down a waterfall on the River Nile and landing straight onto the rocks,” Leeds explained in a social media post.
Injured and unable to fly home, he found himself in a local hospital, where he received life-saving treatment from Dr. Jamela, one of the few orthopedic surgeons in the area at the time.
During his 10-day stay in the hospital, Leeds was struck by the lack of space and resources, particularly the absence of on-site orthopedic surgeons.
This experience inspired him to take action. “Seeing the drastic needs – no space and not a single orthopedic surgeon on site – was heartbreaking,” Leeds shared.
Driven by the desire to give back to the community that saved his life, Leeds funded the construction of a new hospital ward.
The project, which cost just over Shs1 billion (£300,000), was completed in just seven months.
“Many doubted it could be done – they said the government wouldn’t allow it, it would take years, and it would cost billions. But they underestimated my commitment as both a property developer and a philanthropist,” Leeds said.
The new ward, which houses doctors, nurses, and resident surgeons, now operates under the supervision of Dr. Jamela, the same surgeon who saved Leeds’ life.
The investor hopes the facility will address the urgent medical needs in Jinja, offering vital healthcare services to the region for years to come.
“God put me in that pit for a reason, and what the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good,” he said, expressing his gratitude for the experience and the impact it allowed him to make.
