Bahati accused of frustrating plans to upgrade Kitooma health centre II

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The State Minister of Finance in-charge Planning David Bahati has been accused of frustrating plans to upgrade Kitooma Health Centre II.

In the 2017/2018 financial year, Rubaya sub-county council approved the upgrading of Kitooma health Centre II to Health Centre III.

The decision to upgrade the facility was reached after realizing that the facility serves a large population in a hard to reach area.

However, residents say that they were surprised when Kitooma Health Centre II was instead dropped and replaced with Buramba Health Centre II in Ryakarimira town council.

The residents accuse Bahati and Enock Kazooba, the Ryakarimira town council LCIII chairperson for influencing Ministry of Health Officials to replace Kitooma health centre in Rubaya Sub County with Buramba Health Centre.

They argue that there is no health centre III in their sub-county yet there is Rubaya Health Centre IV in Ryakarimira town council.

Obadia Kahinda, Kihooma Health Centre Board Chairperson says that Bahati and Kazooba’s move is unfair and a sign of selfishness.

Gordon Tukacungurwa, Kitooma parish LCII chairperson in Rubaya Sub County says that Kitooma health centre II serves over 50 people on a daily basis. He wants Bahati and Kazooba to explain why they disregarded the council’s resolution.

Agnes Kyarisima, a resident of Habugarama village in Rubaya Sub County says that the distance from Kitooma health centre II to Ryakarimira health centre IV is more than nine kilometres compared to Buramba which is less than four kilometres.

Eric Nebyensi, LCI Chairperson for Rwabihindu Village in Kitooma parish, says though Kitooma health centre II was established in 1972, it has faced challenges such as inadequate water supply, power and staff shortage among others.

Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira, the Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament promised to follow up the matter from the health ministry for an explanation on the matter.

However, Bahati says that the complaints are instigated by local leaders. He says that the residents should be patient because funds to upgrade Kitooma Health Centre will be available in the next financial year.

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