Canon Florencee Katunguka
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RUKUNGIRI– Canon Florence Katunguka, a retired civil servant who worked with Rukungiri district local government as Assistant district health officer in charge of maternal and child health wants the government to work upon the challenge of under staffing in health facilities if health services are to be streamlined in Uganda.

Katunguka, a resident of Rwakabengo ward, southern division in Rukungiri Municipality, a canon in Church of Uganda under North Kigezi diocese and mothers union leader at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano, is house wife, to the late Godfrey Katunguka who died in July 2021. The retired midwife is ever appreciative since her late husband always supported and allowed her to serve Ugandans alongside family roles.

This she disclosed in an exclusive talk with our News desk days after celebrating international nurses and midwives day, a function that was held in Rukungiri district main stadium where she was recognized, rewarded with a medal and certificate of Excellency for extraordinary performance by Uganda nurses and midwives union.

Florence Katunguka, a nurse and midwife by profession says midwives are always overwhelmed with a lot of work in the maternity ward due to the fact that they are always few compared to the number of pregnant mothers.

Katunguka stresses that although the government has taken a step in terms of improving health services, health workers still face the challenge of taking long without being promote pointing out that there are some that have worked for many years but remained on the same ranks, something that waters down their efforts in providing better services.

The retired health worker thanked the government for increasing the salary of health workers in Uganda which has motivated them urging that there is a need for pension rise for the same category to ensure better living after service.

She was appreciative for the 25 years she worked for the government of Uganda from 1996-2021, serving in different capacities including the Rukungiri Assistant district health officer from 2009-2020 the position that was being held by Sister Constance Izongoza.

Katunguka also worked with Buhunga Health Center IV in 2021 before her retirement and currently sits on the Management committee of Rwakabego HCIII in southern division Rukungiri Municipality.

As an expert in health, she notes that the number of women giving birth in the health facilities has increased to least 80% due to government sensitization programs. She however roots for government’s need to speed up the construction of a district hospital in Rukungiri to provide affordable health services to people.

In her journey as a health work in Rukungiri district local government, Katunguka worked with different district health officers that included  Dr. Mugume, Dr. Karyabakabo, Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa the current Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Dr. Serujongi Jimmy and Dr. Mucuguzi Akasiima, the current Rukungiri District Health Officer.

Canon Katunguka doesn’t regret being a health worker in Uganda since she saved and touched many lives during her time of service emphasizing that Nurses are the backbone of every healthcare system in the world. “We are the frontline superstars of patient care” she said.

Canon Florence Kemigisha Katuguka started her education journey as a nurse in 1981-83 at Karoli Lwanga School of nursing and midwifery and later served in the same school as a lecturer for 13 years from 1983-1996.