Kamuganguzi, Kabale-Residents of Katenga Parish in Kamuganguzi Sub County, Kabale District, are calling on authorities to upgrade Katenga Health Center II to a Health Center III and urgently connect it to electricity, citing growing concerns over poor service delivery and compromised healthcare.
The health center, which serves at least 14 patients daily and over 420 monthly from six surrounding villages — Kyondo, Nyakabungo, Kabera, Nyinanyondo, Kashenyi, and Nyabyumba — is currently not connected to electricity despite having electric poles in its compound.
Residents argue that the lack of power hinders effective treatment and threatens patient safety. “Electricity is vital for powering medical equipment such as refrigerators for storing vaccines and essential drugs,” said William Muyambi, a concerned resident of Katenga village.
Force Tumwemere, an LCIII Chairperson hopeful for Kamuganguzi Sub County, emphasized the need for electricity to support basic communication tools like phones and computers. “It’s also essential to maintain the cold chain for vaccines and sensitive medication,” he said.
Hillary Twasiima, the Kamuganguzi Sub County NRM Youths Chairperson, added that the absence of electricity disrupts the use of digital systems like electronic health records, which are key for efficient and accurate patient care.
Beyond the power issues, residents also raised concerns about the lack of staff accommodation at the facility.
Health workers are forced to walk long distances to and from work, resulting in delays and frequent absenteeism, further straining healthcare delivery in the area.
In response to these pleas, Counsel Eliab Naturinda Mporera, the Kabale Ndorwa West Member of Parliament hopeful, yesterday addressed area residents and pledged to advocate for the facility’s electrification and general upgrade. “No community should suffer preventable health challenges due to lack of electricity. I commit to pushing this agenda forward,” Mporera assured.
The community continues to urge the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to prioritize their appeal, stressing that access to reliable and quality healthcare should not be a privilege but a right for all.
