In a remarkable act of gratitude and philanthropy, British property developer and entrepreneur Samuel Leeds has constructed a 64-bed hospital ward in Uganda, after a near-fatal accident left him stranded and in need of urgent medical care.
The hospital ward, now named the Samuel Leeds Ward, stands as a testament to his life-changing encounter with Ugandan orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Jamela, who saved his life.
While visiting Uganda, Leeds found himself in a perilous situation that would alter the course of his life.
He was involved in a severe accident while exploring the River Nile, falling from a waterfall onto the rocks below.
The injuries he sustained left him immobilized and unable to fly back to the UK for treatment.
With his health rapidly deteriorating, Leeds’ fate hung in the balance—until Dr. Jamela, one of the few orthopedic surgeons in the region, stepped in to provide life-saving care.
Leeds spent ten days in a local hospital recovering from his injuries.
During this time, he witnessed the harsh realities of Uganda’s healthcare system—overcrowded wards, limited space, and a lack of specialized medical staff.
The hospital where he was treated had no orthopedic surgeon on-site, a situation that would have been catastrophic for him if not for the coincidental presence of Dr. Jamela.
Grateful for the care he received, Samuel Leeds felt a deep sense of responsibility to give back to the community that had saved his life.
Recognizing the urgent need for better healthcare facilities, he made it his mission to build a hospital ward that would provide critical services for future patients in need. Thus, the idea for the Samuel Leeds Ward was born.
Despite skepticism from various quarters—including concerns that the Ugandan government would not permit the construction or that the project would take years to complete—Leeds pressed forward.
Leveraging his extensive experience in property development, he oversaw the construction of the ward in record time: seven months.
The entire project was completed at a cost of just over 1 billion Ugandan shillings (£300,000), an amount Leeds pointed out was roughly equivalent to the price of a luxury car.
“This is the same cost as buying a Lamborghini,” Leeds reflected. “Kind of sickening. Nothing wrong with driving one, but perhaps consider building a hospital ward first?”
The Samuel Leeds Ward, now fully operational, is staffed with new doctors, nurses, and resident surgeons.
Most notably, the medical team now reports directly to Dr. Jamela, the very surgeon who saved Leeds’ life.
Her presence at the ward ensures that patients who come through its doors will receive the specialized care that was once sorely lacking in the area.
The new ward will not only improve access to critical medical services but will also alleviate the strain on the local healthcare system, providing much-needed space and resources for the growing population.
Leeds’ decision to invest in healthcare has created a legacy that will continue to save lives for generations to come.
In his reflections on the project, Samuel Leeds emphasized the importance of using wealth and success to serve others.
While he is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship and financial prosperity, he also believes that those who have been blessed with wealth should remember to give back and support communities in need.
“God put me in that pit for a reason, and what the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good,” he wrote, acknowledging the spiritual motivation behind his philanthropy.
As Leeds prepares to return home to the UK, he leaves behind not just a hospital ward but a lasting legacy in Uganda—a project born out of gratitude and a commitment to help others. His journey from patient to benefactor serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have when they choose to act out of compassion and a desire to make the world a better place.