MITOOMA, Uganda — Difficult terrain and the washing away of a bridge have been cited among the factors responsible for delays in the construction of two health facilities in Mitooma District.
Lt Vincent Ongaba, the site engineer, said access challenges had disrupted construction works at Bitereko Health Centre III and Kigyende Health Centre III.
Ongaba said works would resume after the restoration of the bridge, which is needed to provide access to the construction site.
He added that the engineering team expects to make significant progress within six months after remobilisation.
The projects were inspected on Thursday by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who said UPDF engineers had assessed the facilities and committed to resuming construction next week.
“I am happy that they have come to assess the projects and have told me they will start work next week so that they can be completed,” Tayebwa said.
Col Fulgence Miyaga, chairman of the Construction Committee of the UPDF Administration and Civil Engineers Brigade, said the team was inspecting construction projects across the country to assess their progress and report to strategic headquarters.
Tayebwa said he preferred the UPDF Engineering Brigade to continue with the projects, citing its experience in delivering infrastructure.
Bitereko Health Centre III and Kigyende Health Centre III, which is being upgraded from a Health Centre II, are intended to expand access to healthcare services for communities in the district.
The projects were initially expected to be completed within six months, but the implementation period was later extended to 12 months.
With the UPDF engineering team now expected back on site, authorities hope the construction delays can be addressed and the facilities completed.
