NEWS- The Rukungiri Woman District Parliamentarian Hon Midius Natukunda Kaharata has challenged the community members from Bugangari and neighborhood, especially expectant mothers to ensure delivery from health centres to do away with complications that might occur during or after labour.
Hon. Midius Kaharata, points out that it is unfortunate that most expectant mothers rush to traditional birth attendants during labour even when some health centres are in reach.
The legislator made the call at Bugangari Health Center IV in Bugangari Sub County, Rukungiri district during the maternity ward’s official opening.
Our reporter learnt that the Joint Medical Stores (JMS) funded the Ugx 173M expansion of the maternity wing, with Rwenkurijo Constructions Company Limited handling the construction, with the goal of lowering infant mortality in the area.
The development was ignited by an overwhelming number of pregnant mothers showing up at the health centre to give birth whereby the former maternity ward at Bugangari Health Center IV could only accommodate six women. After an addition, the new maternity wing is now able to accommodate 36 women.
Speaking during the commissioning, Hon. Natukunda suggested that expectant mothers should use the midwives stationed at Bugangari Health Center IV, discouraging some expectant mothers from giving delivery to traditional attendants.
The minister of security and Member of Parliament for Rujumbura County, Hon. Maj. Gen. Jim Katugugu Muhwezi, expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Uganda government for consistently providing funding to support initiatives that bring services closer to the people.
The Minister went on to say that the expansion of the maternity ward at Bugangari Health Center IV and the donation of a brand-new medical ambulance show that healthcare is now more accessible to the public.
In order to continue providing more services to their electorate, Hon. Jim Muhwezi praised the excellent working relationship between the current Members of Parliament, Hon. Midius Natukunda, Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, and Minister Jim Muhwezi himself emphasizing that it’s the reason more services are being delivered within the district urging the residents not to lose this opportunity.
Minister Muhwezi urged the public to re-elect them in the 2026 general election for continued excellent service delivery.
Bugangari Health Centre IV receives over 1800 patients, of which 120 are expectant mothers receiving care and about 30 are undergoing different medical care procedures.
The Bugangari Health Center Management Chairperson, Gad Mugabirwe, made a plea to Minister Jim Muhwezi and the government to accelerate the acquisition of beds for the new maternity department, which is now devoid of sufficient furniture.
The hospital administration has been urged by Rukungiri’s Acting District Engineer, Julius Bagira, to preserve and guard the facility against vandalism.
The function was graced by the Rukungiri municipality area Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, District chairperson Geoffrey Kyomukama, RDC Nsubuga Bewayo Stephen among other leaders.
