Kitebi Health Centre III in Rubaga Division has strengthened its healthcare delivery capacity with the installation of a 30kW solar power system designed to provide uninterrupted electricity for essential medical services.
The solar installation, supported by the European Union through the Program on Integrated Local Financing for Sustainable Urban Development (PIFUD), is already transforming operations at the busy public facility, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.
Kitebi Health Centre III, managed by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), handles an average of 341 deliveries each month. Previously, power outages threatened vital services including neonatal care, vaccine storage, and emergency procedures.
Dr. Sarah Zalwango, KCCA’s Director of Public Health and Environment, said the solar system will greatly improve reliability in service delivery.
“We have struggled with power outages and fuel costs for generators. The new solar system will address our lighting challenges and help us keep equipment connected, especially for maternity services,” she noted.
“When power goes off, we risk losing vaccines and compromising care, but with this 24/7 solar power, those concerns are eased.”
Irene Nakanyike, In-Charge at the health centre, confirmed the system has been operational since early June and is already enhancing care delivery.
“A health facility must have light all the time. You cannot deliver a baby in the dark or resuscitate a newborn without power. We are deeply grateful for this support,” she said.
The system powers essential equipment including fridges, oxygen concentrators, baby warmers, lights, and ultrasound machines.
Edison Masereka, Project Coordinator for PIFUD, explained that the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote renewable energy use in public institutions across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
“This is one of six systems we’ve installed in public schools, markets, and health centres. While our resources couldn’t cover the entire facility, we prioritized the maternity ward where impact is most immediate,” he said.
The solar infrastructure was installed by Bernoulli Engineering Services. Andrew Kizito, from the company’s Commercial Services department, emphasized the long-term sustainability benefits.
“Solar is the way to go. We have enabled the facility to power over 80 lights, and we’re proud to contribute to better health service delivery,” Kizito stated.
The project aligns with KCCA’s broader goals of building climate-resilient infrastructure and improving essential public services through sustainable energy solutions. As more public facilities adopt renewable energy, Kitebi Health Centre III now stands as a model for energy-efficient healthcare delivery in urban Uganda.
