After seven years of operating without a substantive District Health Officer (DHO), Kitagwenda District has officially appointed Dr. Irene Kahimakazi to the position, a move leaders and residents believe will strengthen healthcare service delivery across the district.
The appointment, confirmed in a letter signed by the Kitagwenda Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), brings to an end years of reliance on acting leadership in the district's health department.
For years, the district faced criticism from residents and local leaders over the absence of a substantive DHO, with many arguing that the leadership gap had slowed efforts to improve healthcare services and effectively coordinate the district's health system.
The leadership vacuum dates back to 2022, when the then acting District Health Officer was removed from office following the death of an expectant mother and her unborn child at Ntara Health Centre IV. The incident sparked public outrage, with residents accusing the district health system of negligence and demanding greater accountability in the management of health services.
Following the incident, Dr. Irene Kahimakazi was appointed Acting District Health Officer and has served in that capacity ever since.
Although the district later advertised the position, officials said no qualified applicants expressed interest, forcing the district to continue under acting leadership until Dr. Kahimakazi's confirmation.
Speaking after her appointment, Dr. Kahimakazi pledged to build on the progress already made and improve healthcare services for the people of Kitagwenda.
"I remain committed to working with the Chief Administrative Officer, the district leadership, the Ministry of Health and all stakeholders to strengthen healthcare service delivery in Kitagwenda," Dr. Kahimakazi told Nile Post.
She said improving health infrastructure would remain one of her top priorities.
"We shall continue lobbying for more health resources and infrastructure. Among our major priorities is the upgrade of Ntara Health Centre IV to a district hospital so that residents can access specialised healthcare services closer to home," she added.
Kitagwenda District Chairperson Ephrance Kenyonyozi welcomed the appointment, describing it as a significant milestone for the district's health sector.
"For seven years, the district has operated without a substantive District Health Officer. We believe that having a confirmed officer in office will provide stability, strengthen supervision and coordination, and ultimately improve healthcare service delivery," Kenyonyozi told Nile Post.
She urged health workers to support the new substantive DHO in implementing government health programmes and improving service delivery across all public health facilities.
The appointment comes at a time when Kitagwenda District is pushing to improve healthcare infrastructure, staffing and service delivery. Among its key priorities is the proposed upgrade of Ntara Health Centre IV to a district hospital.
A District Health Officer serves as the technical head of a district's health department and is responsible for coordinating, managing and supervising the delivery of quality healthcare services.
The office also serves as the primary link between the Ministry of Health and district health facilities, ensuring the implementation of national health policies and programmes at the local level.
