Katuna Town Council’s Mukaragye ward residents decry lack of a health center

By Byamukama Libino

Residents of Mukaragye ward in Katuna Town Council, Kabale District, raised an alarm on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, about the long distances they travel to nearby health centers in Kamuganguzi, putting the lives of expectant mothers at risk.

During a piggery distribution exercise by Kabale District Woman MP Hon. Atwakiire Catherine Ndamira, residents led by Mr. Batarijuna Alfred, chairperson of Hakabungo cell, expressed their concerns. They stated that Mukaragye ward, which has six villages, finds it stressful to lack a health center facility and the few private clinics in the ward are substandard and often lack essential medicines and care.

Mr. Batarijuna added that traveling from Mukaragye ward to Kamuganguzi by motorcycle costs 10,000 shillings, a burden for low-income earners.

Bruce Arineitwe, vice chairperson of Rdyaruhinda cell and Phionah Amanya, a resident of Hakabungo Village, said the situation worsens at night due to the lack of immediate transportation. They recalled that in 2019, the community signed letters requesting a health facility in Mukaragye ward but their pleas have gone unanswered.

Kabale District Woman MP Hon. Atwakiire Catherine Ndamira pledged to continue advocating for outreaches in hard-to-reach areas as government plans to extend services closer to the people.