The Government of Uganda has commissioned 398 Health Centre IIIs and three blood banks across the country. This is aimed at improving healthcare access and reducing maternal and child mortality.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja presided over the commissioning ceremony at Kikoma Health Centre III in Kyankwanzi District, calling the move a milestone for Uganda’s healthcare system. She praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for prioritizing health as a pillar of national development.
“These Health Centres stand as a testament to his enduring legacy of building a healthier, stronger Uganda,” Nabbanja said.
The construction and upgrade of the facilities, which began in the 2018/2019 financial year, are part of government efforts to improve maternal and child health and meet Sustainable Development Goals. Nabbanja noted that the new facilities align with the NRM Manifesto, Uganda Vision 2040, and the National Development Plans III and IV.
“These facilities represent a transformative leap forward—bringing quality, accessible care closer to our communities and ensuring that every Ugandan has the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive life,” she added.
She urged health workers to prioritize preventive healthcare by educating communities on disease prevention to ease the country’s medical burden.
Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng welcomed the completion of the facilities but raised concerns over a lack of water and electricity, which she said was discouraging mothers from fully utilizing the services.
“The low utilization of the health facilities especially by mothers can be attributed to lack of water and electricity in the facilities. I appeal to the Ministry of Water and Environment to work on this urgently,” Aceng said.
She also reported progress in reducing maternal mortality, highlighting a drop from 346 to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births—a 43% reduction.
Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, expressed concern over underuse of the new health centers. He noted that only 35 deliveries had been recorded at Kikoma Health Centre III since October, well below the expected 70 deliveries per month.
“I appeal to the local community to make use of this facility,” Olaro urged.
Representing the World Bank, Rogers Ayiku praised Uganda’s progress in health service delivery, noting that the newly commissioned centers would serve more than 10 million people who were previously underserved.
Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi officially received the facilities and handed them over to local leaders, urging them to safeguard the infrastructure for the benefit of their communities.
