UPDF has taken over the completion of a block intended to house a maternity ward at Biddabugya Health Center III in Kasangombe Sub County, Nakaseke District.
Residents and local leaders were full of joy as the UPDF commenced works that included; plastering, partitioning blocks, plumbing, electrical works, installation of window panes.
This exercise alone is expected to cost the UPDF 68 Million shillings.
Local residents say that UPDF taking over the project was a relief since they had failed to complete it.
In 2016, residents of Kasangombe together with the support from Rose Namayanja foundation embarked on a community lead project to construct the new block.
Each home contributed at least 5000 shillings for construction and this was used to buy materials to start operations.
Rosemary Namayanja Nsereko, the founder of Rose Namayanja Foundation says that together with the community over 200 million shillings had been spent before UPDF took over the site.
According to Brian Luwaga a reporter with URN, residents say that many expectant mothers had abandoned the facility and resorted to walking long distances to Nakaseke hospital for health services.
The current dilapidated block hosting the health centre was constructed in 1988 and is collapsing soon.
Fred Ssebutiko Wagaba, the officer-in-charge of Biddabugya Health Center III explains that every day the facility receives between 80-100 patients but unfortunately they couldn’t administer some services to them over lack of enough space.
Among the services that were suspended were admitting patients over lack of a ward.
Namayanja says that the facility will host maternity, pediatric, mini theatre, laboratory, male and female wards among others after completion.
Warrant Officer Joel Ngwen, the foreman at the site from UPDF Engineering Brigade says that the works are part of activities to mark the 39th Tarehe Sita anniversary which will be held in the district.
Ngwen says they chose the project because it is spearheaded by the community and UPDF came in to strengthen them.
Ahead of Tarehe Sita anniversary, UPDF has planned to construct classroom blocks for Kikandwa and Buwana primary schools in Nakaseke a social responsibility on its part aimed at fostering harmony between the forces and communities.
A press statement released yesterday by Brigadier General Richard Karemire the Spokesperson of UPDF, the Tarehe Sita celebrations will be held at Butalangu grounds at Nakaseke district headquarters on 6th February this year.
Nakaseke was chosen because of its historical role played during the 1981-1986 liberation war.
The celebrations will be held under the theme “Consolidating the UPDF Strategic partnership with the people to guard gains of liberation.
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