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The first phase of the Shs43 billion rehabilitation and expansion of Kambuga General Hospital has been completed with the commissioning of a modern operating theatre and a 16-unit staff housing complex constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
The facilities were officially handed over to the Kanungu District Local Government, marking a major milestone in the government’s plan to transform Kambuga General Hospital into a regional referral facility.
The project is fully funded by the government, with Shs30 billion allocated for civil works and Shs13 billion for the procurement of modern medical equipment.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Capt. Yunus Ntegeka of the UPDF Engineering Brigade said the first phase comprised the construction of the operating theatre and staff accommodation.
“The project was initially scheduled to take 12 months after commencement in March 2024. However, changes within the UPDF extended the implementation period to 36 months,” Ntegeka said.
“I want to assure leaders and residents that the brigade remains committed to delivering quality work and completing the remaining phases in accordance with the contract,” he added.
Construction is being undertaken in phases to enable the hospital to continue providing services during the upgrade.
District officials said Shs9.7 billion was budgeted for the first phase, of which Shs4.2 billion has so far been released by the government.
About Shs3.4 billion was spent on constructing the operating theatre and staff houses, while Shs800 million has been earmarked to commence construction of a new maternity ward as the district awaits additional funding.
The newly completed accommodation consists of two blocks with 16 self-contained housing units designed to keep health workers within the hospital premises and improve emergency response.
Each unit comprises 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 work, saying the investment would improve healthcare delivery.
“Housing staff within the hospital compound will reduce absenteeism, improve staff availability, strengthen emergency response and ultimately enhance service delivery,” Nakaye said.
Representing the Chief Administrative Officer, Principal Assistant CAO Gertrude Mutahakana urged hospital management to maintain the new infrastructure to ensure it serves the community for many years. She also appealed to the Ministry of Health to address the hospital’s sanitation challenges.
Assistant District Health Officer Dr Kato Besisira welcomed the completion of the facilities and pledged to work with the Hospital Management Committee to ensure they are properly maintained.
Representing Kanungu District Chairperson Francis Byamukama Kapesha, Kambuga Sub-county Councillor Silver Rutazana reaffirmed the district’s commitment to supporting the continued upgrade of the hospital.
Medical Superintendent Dr Daniel Kasudha said the new operating theatre would significantly improve the hospital’s capacity to provide 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 residents of Kanungu, Rukungiri, Rukiga and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The upgrade follows a groundbreaking ceremony presided over by then Health Minister Dr Ruth Aceng in March 2023 as part of the government’s plan to elevate the hospital into a regional referral facility offering specialised healthcare services.
Once completed, the upgraded hospital is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery across the Kigezi Sub-region through improved surgical services, enhanced maternal healthcare, better staff welfare and expanded access to specialised treatment.
, https://nilepost.co.ug/health/357247/shs43-billion-kambuga-hospital-upgrade-begins-with-new-theatre-staff-housing
