Communities living along the shores of Lake Albert in Kiganja Sub-county, Hoima District, have received a major healthcare boost following the commissioning of a Shs590 million maternity ward at Kibiro Health Centre II.
The facility, funded by the World Bank under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP), is expected to improve access to maternal health services for residents of Kibiro Parish and surrounding fishing communities.
For years, expectant mothers in the area have faced challenges accessing maternity services due to the difficult terrain and long distances to Kigorobya Health Centre IV, the nearest facility offering such care.
Speaking during the commissioning, Hoima Assistant Resident District Commissioner Sonko Bongole commended the district leadership for prioritizing healthcare services in remote communities along the Lake Albert shores.
He said the facility will play a key role in reducing maternal health risks and improving service delivery in hard-to-reach areas.
“I want to commend the district leadership for considering the construction of this maternity facility to save mothers along the Lake Albert shores. Health workers and the community must work together to support and protect this facility,” Bongole said.
He also cautioned residents against resisting government programmes, emphasizing that effective health service delivery requires cooperation between government and the community.
“Health service delivery is a shared responsibility between government and the population. Communities must embrace and support government programmes intended to improve their wellbeing,” he added.
Hoima District Speaker James Mulindambula, who also serves as the district councillor for Kiganja Sub-county, said the district remains committed to improving infrastructure, tourism, and healthcare services in lakeside communities.
He urged residents to fully support government development initiatives aimed at transforming livelihoods in the area.
“The district will continue supporting infrastructure development, tourism, and health services along the Lake Albert shores. We ask residents to work closely with leaders and support government programmes,” Mulindambula said.
Meanwhile, Hoima District Chief Administrative Officer Emmanuel Ssempala, represented by Stephen Mwesigwa, pledged that the district would deploy additional health workers to strengthen service delivery at the facility.
The commissioning of the maternity ward is expected to significantly reduce the burden on expectant mothers who previously had to travel long distances under difficult conditions to access maternal healthcare services.
