Residents of Rubaya Sub-county in Kabale District are urging the government to fence and build additional staff housing at Kitooma Health Centre III to improve its functionality and service delivery.
Formerly a Health Centre II, Kitooma was upgraded in 2022 under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UGIFT) Program. Since the upgrade, the facility has recorded a sharp rise in patient numbers and expanded access to essential services.
Wilfred Baluku Tibamwenda, the officer in charge of the facility, said Kitooma Health Centre III now attends to between 1,000 and 1,200 patients each month—a significant increase compared to when it operated at a lower level. He noted the introduction of key services such as antenatal care, which were previously unavailable.
However, he raised concerns about the limited staff housing. “We have 17 health workers, but only five can be accommodated in the available staff quarters,” Tibamwenda said.
He also cited the absence of a perimeter fence as a major challenge, exposing the facility to security risks and unauthorized access. “The facility is open to intruders, and without a fence, the safety of our property remains a concern,” he said.
These concerns were echoed during a consultation meeting held at the health centre on Thursday, organized by Ndorwa County West Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Trade, David Bahati. Local leaders and residents, including LC1 Chairperson of Ruhiri Village (Butenga Parish) Peter Tumwesigye Babuze, Drake Rukundo Begyeka from Rwamihini Village, and Allen Arineitwe from Rwabareera Village in Kitooma Parish, also expressed the need for improved staff housing.
They noted that health workers often struggle to find decent rental accommodation in the area. “Because the facility is not fenced, the compound is frequently used for grazing, which compromises its sanitation,” added one of the residents.
In his response, Hon. Bahati pledged to advocate for the residents’ demands. He acknowledged the current challenges but commended the impact the facility has made since its upgrade, including a noticeable decline in maternal deaths.
“The elevation of this facility to Health Centre III has reduced the need for residents to travel long distances to Rubaya Health Centre IV or Kabale Regional Referral Hospital,” he said.
