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Last year, the government earmarked 50 billion shillings to refurbish Masindi Hospital to address the challenge of inadequate space for patients. The money would also be used to purchase equipment.

However, a year later, the refurbishment of the hospital hasn’t kicked off.

The Masindi district LCV Chairman, Cosmas Byaruhanga, says that they have been expecting funding from the government through the Ministry of Health starting this financial year—about ten billion shillings for the Out-Patient Department and another ten billion shillings from the World Bank for the maternity and other wards—but they have not received any funding.

Byaruhanga asserted that when they approached the ministry of finance, they said they don’t have money yet, noting that they are now waiting for funding from the World Bank.

He added that they are now following up on the matter to ensure that funds are allocated towards the refurbishment of the hospital.

AUDIO: BYARUHANGA 1 ENG

Byaruhanga disclosed that due to inadequate space, they are admitting mothers on the floor and verandahs. Mothers who deliver are immediately discharged, even when they are not in fair condition due to the congestion at the hospital.

He, however, said that due to inadequate space, they decided to change the males’ ward into a maternity ward and divide the females’ ward into two to cater to both males and females.

The politician is therefore calling upon the government to look into the matter of Masindi General Hospital with the attention it deserves.

The Masindi district woman member of parliament, Dr. Florence Asiimwe, told our reporter that the minister for finance, Matia Kasaija, disclosed that five billion shillings will be released this quarter towards the refurbishment of the hospital.

In January last year, an assessment of the hospital was done by Parliament’s Committee on Health, which recommended refurbishment and construction of new structures since the facility was in a poor state.

According to George Otim, the commissioner for health infrastructure in the Ministry of Health, they completed the design of the new hospital and have already submitted it to all stakeholders in Masindi district and at the national level.

Otim said the refurbishment, construction of new structures, and buying new equipment at the hospital will cost 50 billion shillings, of which 32 billion will be for civil works and 18 billion will be for the procurement of equipment.

Among the new blocks to be constructed are the theater, staff quarters, administration block, pediatric ward, maternity ward, neonatal ward, outpatient department (OPD), and others.

The government awarded the contract to the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade.

Masindi Hospital was constructed in the 1920s as a dispensary for Uganda Railways. By the time it was constructed, it was serving 50,000 people. It currently serves more than 500,000 people from Nakasongola, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, and Hoima districts.

BY KWERONDA AMBROSE
IN NTUNGAMO—-

Different politicians from different political parties in Uganda have recognized Hon Timuzugu Micheal Kamugisha, the Member of Parliament Kajara County for being exemplary to other leaders in the country.

Hon. Timuzigu Michael Kamugisha broke the record and announced that he will not seek another term after expiry of his current term in 2026.

According to Timuzigu, there is a need to change the nation of long serving leaders if the country is to mentor and nurture different talents of leaders at all levels.

He noted that this will help the country to curb the rampant cases of corruption as well as different approaches towards voter’s requirements.

Hon Timuzigu said that Kajara County has many able, knowledgeable and talented people who want to contribute to its development

He said this yesterday at the burial of late Beneth Baryahabwe, the mother of a prominent journalist Dickson Baryahabwe in Kajara Rwashamaire Ntungamo District

According to Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, in Uganda there are many people who will be ashamed and there are those who have already been ashamed. He said many Ugandans are going to perish due to hypocrisy hence urging young children

The Member of Parliament for Buhweju County Hon Francis Mwijukye said there are few leaders in Uganda that can leave power to others. He said that everything in the country is disorganized saying that problems have entered in political parties and churches.

Journalist and Radio west manager Dickson Baryahabwe together with siblings giving a speech to say bye bye to their mother.

By Aggrey Twesigye
in mbarara—–

The police leadership in Mbarara district are in confusion after a suspect died in a holding cell at Bwizibwera Central Police station,on Tuesday.

Enos Angumya 25, a resident of Kyakaziizi cell,Rwentojo ward, Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council in Mbarara district was reportedly tortured after being arrested on Saturday over allegations of motorcycle theft.

Naome Kemireembe a sister to the deceased narrated to www.mknewslink.com that she became suspicious after being blocked from accessing the suspect on Tuesday.

She said that his brother died in police cell and the body was later taken to Mbarara regional referral hospital mortuary.

According to Kemireembe,the hospital postmortem report shared with the relatives indicated that Angumya had no visible injuries that would depict foul acts but his death was purely suffocation as a result of too much congestion in the police cell.

Boda boda riders at Rwentojo boda boda stage where the deceased was operating, accused police officers at Bwizibwera central police station of using excessive force,being brutal,and extorting money from suspects.

However the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson ,SP Samson Kasasira said the suspect was rushed to hospital where he died minutes later.

He described the incident as unfortunate.