Health workers at Bulago Health Centre III in Bulambuli District use torches to deliver mothers at night due to a lack of electricity at the facility. The health centre, located in Bulago Sub-county, has operated for more than 18 years and serves a population of over 60,000 people from Bulago, Namisuni, Bumasobo, Soti, and surrounding areas.
Speaking during an inspection of the facility on Tuesday by Bulambuli District Woman Member of Parliament Sarah Nambozo Wekomba, area LCIII Chairperson Julius Wanzunula, and community members, the facility in charge, Annet Nandudu, said the lack of power has affected service delivery. Nandudu said the facility faces challenges in assisting mothers who come for delivery at night, storing drugs that require refrigeration, and maintaining security at the health centre after dark.
She said when expectant mothers arrive at night, they are asked to buy torches before they can be attended to because the entire facility remains dark. The Bulago Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, Julius Wanzunula, blamed district leaders for failing to address the issue despite several reminders. Wanzunula said he has written several letters raising the concern, but has never received a response from the authorities.
He threatened to mobilise residents for a peaceful demonstration at the district headquarters to demand action over the matter. Bulambuli District Woman Member of Parliament Sarah Nambozo Wekomba described the situation as unfortunate, saying mothers should not be delivered using torches in the current era. “A mother is someone very important in this country. I am going to take this matter seriously to make sure that the district fixes the electricity in the facility or installs solar so that the maternity ward and the entire facility can be lit,” she said.
Wekomba warned that government equipment at the health facility could be at risk of theft due to the lack of lighting and pledged to push for a quick solution. She said it was disappointing that the electricity line passes near the facility, but the health centre has never been connected. The District Health Officer, Martin Naimu, was unavailable for comment, but the district says it has plans to install power at the facility-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
