The transformation of Kambuga General Hospital into a modern regional referral facility has taken a major step forward following the commissioning of a new operating theatre and a 16-unit staff housing complex constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
The facilities were officially handed over to Kanungu District Local Government, marking the completion of the first phase of a Shs43 billion government-funded rehabilitation and expansion project.
The project is fully financed by the Government of Uganda, with Shs30 billion allocated for civil works and Shs13 billion for modern medical equipment.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Captain Yunus Ntegeka of the UPDF Engineering Brigade said the first phase focused on construction of the operating theatre and staff accommodation facilities.
"The project was initially scheduled for completion within 12 months after it started in March 2024. However, changes within the UPDF extended the timeline to 36 months," Ntegeka said.
He assured local leaders and residents that the brigade remains committed to delivering quality work and completing the remaining phases according to the agreed contract.
"I want to assure leaders and residents that the brigade remains committed to delivering quality work and completing the remaining phases as per the contract," he said.
The rehabilitation works are being implemented in phases to allow the hospital to continue providing services during the upgrade.
Of the Shs9.7 billion allocated for phase one, the district has so far received Shs4.2 billion. About Shs3.4 billion was used to construct the theatre and staff quarters, while Shs800 million has been earmarked to begin construction of a new maternity ward as the district awaits additional funding from the central government.
The newly completed staff accommodation consists of two blocks with 16 self-contained units, aimed at keeping health workers within the hospital premises, improving emergency response and enhancing service delivery.
Each unit has two bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, fitted wardrobes and a battery room for backup power.
Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner Catherine Nakaye commended the UPDF Engineering Brigade for delivering quality infrastructure, saying the facilities will significantly improve healthcare services.
"Housing staff within the hospital compound will reduce absenteeism, improve staff availability, strengthen emergency response and boost service delivery," Nakaye said.
Representing the Chief Administrative Officer, Principal Assistant CAO Gertrude Mutahakana urged hospital management to properly maintain the new facilities to ensure they benefit communities for many years.
She also appealed to the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of sanitation facilities at the hospital.
Assistant District Health Officer Kato Besisira welcomed the completed projects and pledged to work with the Hospital Management Committee to ensure proper maintenance and utilization of the facilities.
Representing Kanungu District Chairperson Francis Byamukama Kapesha, Kambuga Sub-county Councillor Silver Rutazana reaffirmed the district’s commitment to supporting the continued upgrade of Kambuga Hospital.
The hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Kasudha Daniel, praised the government, Ministry of Health and UPDF Engineering Brigade for investing in the facility.
He said the new operating theatre will improve the hospital’s capacity to provide safe and timely surgical services.
"Our previous operating space was inadequate. With this modern theatre, our surgical teams now have enough space to carry out life-saving operations more efficiently. We are ready to serve the people better," Dr. Kasudha said.
Established in 1965 and commissioned in 1968 as a 100-bed district hospital, Kambuga General Hospital serves patients from Kanungu, Rukungiri, Rukiga and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The upgrade follows a groundbreaking ceremony presided over by the then Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng, in March 2023 as part of government efforts to transform the hospital into a regional referral facility offering specialized healthcare services.
Once completed, the upgraded hospital is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery across the Kigezi Sub-region through improved surgical services, maternal healthcare, staff welfare and access to specialized treatment.
