RUBANDA, UGANDA – The UPDF Engineering Brigade has handed over the newly completed Bufundi Health Centre III in Bufundi Sub-county, Rubanda West, following construction works valued at more than Shs600 million.
The facility is expected to improve access to healthcare services in the area, particularly maternal health, and reduce the need for patients to be referred to other health facilities.
During the handover ceremony, the District Engineer outlined the scope of work undertaken, which included the construction of an inpatient ward, maternity ward, theatre and walkway.
However, health workers, led by the facility in-charge, called for additional water storage tanks and more staff to support service delivery at the health centre. They said the available water tanks were insufficient to meet the needs of patients and health workers.
The facility currently has 32 health workers and serves approximately 1,350 patients every month, a workload the staff described as challenging given the available resources.
Bufundi Sub-county LC5 Councillor, Hon. Sam, urged residents to take responsibility for protecting and maintaining the newly completed facility, warning against vandalism, including breaking its glass fittings.
He supported the management’s request for additional water tanks and health workers, while challenging local leaders to find a lasting solution to water scarcity in the area. He also called for increased support for health centres across the sub-county.
Rubanda District LC5 Vice Chairperson Kesaphari Prossy commended the Government and the UPDF Engineering Brigade for delivering the facility, saying it would improve maternal healthcare and reduce referrals.
She echoed the call for additional health workers and water storage facilities, noting that improved infrastructure must be matched with adequate staffing to effectively serve the approximately 1,350 patients received monthly.
Rubanda District LC5 Chairperson Ampeire Stephen Kasyaba said the district was making efforts to have Bufundi Health Centre III upgraded to a Health Centre IV to expand the range of services available to residents.
Kasyaba noted that Rubanda District’s staffing level stood at 70 per cent, which he described as the highest in the Kigezi sub-region. He added that patients from Bufundi would continue to be referred to the district general hospital when they required services beyond the capacity of the health centre.
He also cited successful cases of safe deliveries at the district general hospital as evidence of the importance of strengthening healthcare services.
Kasyaba praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for appointing Hon. Henry Musasizi as Minister of Finance, saying Musasizi had lobbied for the funds being used by the UPDF to construct health facilities in Rubanda District.
Rubanda District Chief Administrative Officer Samuel Ahabwe thanked the Government, Minister Musasizi and the UPDF Engineering Brigade for their contribution to the project.
“Special appreciation goes to the Honourable Minister of Finance and the district leadership for their tireless efforts in lobbying and advocating for resources,” Ahabwe said.
He urged the district health department to ensure that the new facility was adequately staffed, stocked with essential medicines and properly equipped to meet the healthcare needs of the community.
Capt. Yunus Ntegeka, the Western Region MDAs Project Manager representing the UPDF Engineering Brigade, pledged the brigade’s continued commitment to the quality and timely execution of its projects.
The handover marks an important step in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Bufundi, although leaders and health workers say additional staffing, water storage and essential medical supplies will be necessary to ensure the facility delivers effective services to the growing number of patients.
