On Tuesday this week government officially launched the project aimed at upgrading the Ntungamo Health Center II to Health Center III, in order to increase on its standard and capacity to serve a bigger population.
The Health Centre which lies in Butogota Town Council in Kanungu district and derives its origin from greater Kayonza will be upgraded by Kaleeta Construction Ltd
During a ground breaking ceremony, Gatrude Mutahakana, the Principal Assistant Secretary who represented the Kanungu District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) noted that the job description of the contractor included; construction of a maternity and general ward mainly, Prenatal Ward, Delivery Room, Postnatal Ward, Female Ward, Male Ward, Pediatric (children’s Ward), Nurse Station Assist Room, Linen Store Sterile Room, and Sterile Store Sluice Room.
Mutahakana added that the Health Centre had a UMEME Power System and solar system for back up, rain water harvesting system with a 10,000 : 5000 and 3000 water tanks, a lightening / thunder protection system, all floors are terrazzo finish, all ceilings are gypsum board finish
In addition to the maternity is a Placenta pit, Medical waste pit and a pit latrine with bathrooms
She however, requested Kaleeta Construction Ltd employ local people and use locals for material supply such that the locals may also benefit from the project and that quality work was paramount.
The upgrade comes at a time when the health sector is griping with almost all Health Centers case in point is the Soroti Referral Hospital which has just petitioned government due to poor infrastructure, inadequate medical equipment, short of medical personnel a thing that is blamed on the low budget provided to the sector
Dr. Stephen Sebbudee, the Ntungamo District Health Officer (DHO) who was also present at the ceremony applauded everyone who witnessed the groundbreaking considering the catchment area of the greater Kayonza and requested Butogota Town Council that leaders be watchful of the project because it’s yields will benefit not only Kanungu as a district but everyone
The guest of Honor Hon. Ruugi Kaberuka James MP Kinkiizi West thanked God for the day and the good leadership embedded kanungu council led by the RDC who he defined as an upright man (otarapazapaza), and the District Chairperson Madam Josephine Kasya
He also praised the Council of Butogota Town Council for noise they made which has built success to them.
“The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them,” he said quoting Chinua Achebe in Things fall apart
Kaberuka also noted that they are also focusing on other projects and have already identified a contractor ( National Enterprise Co-operation)
“As a team we are now focusing on looking for money to expand the Kibirit Tarmac road to the petrol station near Kinkiizi Development Company Factory, Bridge to connect Nyamiyaga, Bwindi Kinisa road and Buhoma to Nteeko road where RDC Hajj.Shafiq Sekandi is the focal person in that move,” Kaberuka said
Hajj. Shafiq Sekandi applauded the president of Uganda, Hon.MPs of Kanungu and the DHO Dr.Sebbudde for the work done to make sure that the Health facility of Ntungamo is given a priority considering all the districts in Uganda and people’s need to lobby for Kanungu is creditable.
