Hoima | Communities in Hoima West City Division are in joy after the government constructed and commissioned a fully furnished maternity ward worth shs590 million at Karongo Health Centre III.
The facility, which was fully funded by the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health, is aimed at improving access to maternal health care services for residents of Hoima West City Division and the surrounding areas.
Jovia Abitegeka, a resident of Karongo village, appreciated the government for the structure, saying it will help reduce long-distance moves to seek maternity services.
Abitegeka, like many women, has been moving to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH) for antenatal care.
Another resident, Margaret Karungi, expressed gratitude to the government, noting that the facility will help draw closer health services, especially to vulnerable mothers who cannot afford private facilities.
“Some of us would not even be able to afford going to private hospitals. Having such a facility in place will help mothers have quick access to free mediation,” she said.
The maternity ward was constructed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade. It comprises the labour room, gynaecology ward, postnatal ward, female immunisation room, records room, store, prenatal ward, labour suite, sluice room, sterilisation room, duty room, antenatal care room, birth rooms, kangaroo room and a reception.
Captain Yunus Ntegeka, the Western region project manager at UPDF engineering brigade, revealed that the construction works commenced on June 18, 2024, and were completed in the middle of 2025.
He noted that the project would have cost an estimated shs700m to shs800m, but they were able to deliver it at a lower cost since the UPDF engineering brigade doesn’t pay taxes.
“The facility was built to standard,” he stated.
Ntegeka further explained that the government has also added the UPDF engineering brigade more shs300m to construct a placenta pit, a staff quarter and a four-stance pit latrine at the same health centre.
Hajji Badru Mugabi, the Hoima City Resident Commissioner (RCC) who presided over the ceremony, said that the facility is part of the process to improve and upgrade the health centre III to a health centre IV.
“The law establishes that every constituency must have a sub-district health centre, which is a health centre IV,” he said.
Hoima City Council mayor, Edward Isingoma, has urged the health workers at Karongo Health Centre III to prioritise better service delivery to the people seeking health services.
Speaking during the same event, Gerald Kyomuhendo, the in-charge of the health centre, commended the government through the Ministry of Health for considering Karongo Health Centre III.
“The facility will help extend maternity services closer to the grassroots but also reduce congestion of patients [mothers] due to its bigger capacity,” Kyomuhendo added.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
