The Government of Uganda has opened 28 improved health centres in Busoga to provide better services for mothers, newborn babies, children, and teenagers. The Ministry of Health launched the refurbished facilities at Bulamagi Health Centre III in Iganga District. This work was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The upgrades are part of a five-year Health System Strengthening Project launched in 2020, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). With a total investment exceeding $22 million (UGX 78.9 billion), the initiative aims to reduce preventable deaths and enhance the quality of care through improved infrastructure, modern medical equipment, and health workforce capacity building.
The 28 facilities upgraded under the project span the districts of Mayuge, Kamuli, Buyende, Bugiri, and Iganga. Each health facility underwent extensive renovation and was equipped with tailored medical supplies to address local healthcare needs.
Among the improvements were installation of solar lighting systems to ensure uninterrupted critical services, vaccine refrigerators to maintain cold chain for immunisation programmes, delivery and examination beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators to strengthen maternal and neonatal care, infant weighing scales to monitor child growth and health, and rainwater harvesting systems to improve hygiene and infection control.
In addition, over 1,500 health workers have been trained under the project to deliver high-quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services, including emergency obstetric and neonatal care. This ensures that healthcare providers are equipped with both the tools and skills needed to respond effectively to maternal and child health challenges in their communities.
Speaking at the event, officials from the Ministry of Health reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage. They emphasised that the improvements will provide communities with safer delivery services, healthier children, and a stronger health system for future generations.
Representatives from WHO and KOICA praised the collaboration as a model of international partnership delivering tangible results for Ugandans, noting that these investments are not just in buildings or equipment but in lives, ensuring that every mother, every child, and every adolescent in Busoga can access the care they deserve.
As part of continued efforts to strengthen the health system, KOICA has also pledged an additional $12 million for a Blood System Strengthening Initiative to address the critical need for safe blood during emergencies in the region.
With these newly upgraded facilities now operational, communities across Busoga can expect improved access to life-saving healthcare services, reinforcing Uganda’s progress towards equitable and resilient health for all.
