Relief swept through Rubaare Health Centre IV in Ntungamo District on March 27, 2026, as hundreds of residents, long burdened by illness and the high cost of treatment, gained access to essential health services during a one-day mega medical camp offering free consultations, treatment and screening.
The camp was organised by the Kariisa family in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kigo Seven Lakes ahead of the commissioning of the Mama Kariisa Maternity Ward scheduled for March 28, 2026.
From early morning, the health centre grounds teemed with residents from Ntungamo Municipality, Rushenyi and Ruhaama, as well as neighbouring districts such as Rukiga.
Long queues formed at registration points while teams of medical personnel carried out consultations, check-ups and screenings.
Many patients expressed relief, saying they had lived with chronic conditions such as joint pain, hypertension and diabetes, often going untreated due to the high cost of care and frequent drug shortages at public health facilities.
“In our hospitals, most times when you need medicine, they just write a prescription and send you to buy it from a clinic. If you’re lucky, they only give you Panadol,” one resident said.
Rosette Ampaire said the camp had offered a rare opportunity to receive timely medical attention.
“We are very happy to be here and to receive these services. We are grateful because although we have a hospital that operates, it is too crowded and we are not attended to in time,” she said.
The outreach provided a wide range of free services including general medical care, dental and optical services, immunisation, family planning, laboratory testing and minor surgical procedures. For many residents, it was more than a routine check-up.
“I came for a check-up because I feel like I might have cancer, and I also think I could be having diabetes,” said Benson Tibeingana, LC1 Chairman of Ekinoni Cell, Nyaryanya Parish in Rubaare Sub-county.
Jane Komuhangi, who brought her sick child to the camp, described the strain of caregiving without access to adequate medical support.
“This young one has drained all my energy. He cannot sit, he cannot stand, and he has never moved. I have to carry him all the time,” she said.
Health officials at the facility said the overwhelming turnout reflected broader gaps in access to routine healthcare, particularly as non-communicable diseases continue to rise in the community.
Dr Alex Aryahebwa of Rubaare Health Centre IV noted that many residents delay seeking care due to cost barriers, only turning up when conditions have worsened.
The medical camp also served as a precursor to the commissioning of the Mama Kariisa Maternity Ward, a facility built by the Kariisa family in memory of their mother and supported by the Rotary Club of Kigo Seven Lakes.
The new ward is expected to boost maternal and child health services in the district by easing congestion and improving access to safe delivery services.
Rebecca Ainembabazi of the Rotary Club of Kigo Seven Lakes said the initiative was informed by findings that many residents struggle to access basic healthcare.
“From our needs assessment, we noticed that many people do not have access to medical services. We hope to keep coming because this is home for us. The president of the Rotary Club of Kigo Seven Lakes was born right here in the old maternity ward,” she said.
Rotarians and district officials, led by the club president, inspected the facility ahead of its official opening, expressing confidence that it would significantly improve service delivery for mothers and children.
Rushenyi Member of Parliament Naomi Kabasharira commended the Kariisa family for supporting healthcare in the area, noting that the turnout at the camp reflected the urgent need for such interventions.
“I commend the Kariisa family for supporting us in health-related services, from the maternity ward to medicine. That is the reason why people have come in big numbers,” Kabasharira said.
Local authorities described the initiative as a critical step toward bridging healthcare gaps, expressing hope that similar partnerships would continue to expand access to affordable and timely medical care across Ntungamo District.
