The construction of two houses for medical staffs at Kibito Health Centre1V in Kabarole district has hit a snag due to lack of funds.
The money meant for the construction works has reportedly been diverted.
In 2008, the Ministry of Health gave Kabarole district 64 million shillings for the construction of the staff houses, in response to complaints about lack of accommodation for the staffs.
But two years down the road, the houses have not been constructed, and the medical workers are frustrated.
Kibito Health Centre 1V is the largest health facility in Bunyagabu Sub County, with a doctor and five clinical officers.
Because of the lack of accommodation, the staff are forced to reside at their homes, located far from the health centre.
Joan Kajumba, a clinical officer at the health centre who lives in Rwimi, which is 10 kilometers from the health center, says the houses were supposed to be completed last year.
Charles Mwesige, a clinical officer says that they are no indications that the houses will be constructed.
Mwesige also says that the district has never informed them why the houses were not constructed.
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Joshua Kagaba, the secretary for health Kabarole district says that the money meant for construction of the houses was used for other purposes.
Kagaba says that the district owed Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) debts worth 50 million shillings resulting from the district's failure to remit Pay As You Earn (PAYE) to URA.
Richard Muganzi, the in-charge of domestic taxes at URA Fort Portal office confirmed that the district paid 64 million shillings to URA meant for PAYE.
However Joe Oketch, the District Health Officer Kabarole says that it was unfair for the district to divert the money without consulting the health department because it was the health department, which requested for the money from the Ministry of Health.
He says that they have written to the Ministry of Health over the matter.
