Mbale, Uganda: Residents and local Parish Development Model (PDM) leaders in Nabulu–Kasanja Ward, Nakaloke Rural, Mbale Northern City Division, have renewed calls for the construction of a government health facility to serve the area’s growing population of over 7,000 people.
Currently, the ward has no Health Centre II or III, forcing residents, particularly expectant mothers, to trek long distances in search of medical and antenatal services, raising healthcare costs and endangering lives.
The outcry was aired during a community stakeholders’ meeting held at Mabale Primary School, presided over by Ritah Namuwenge, the National Coordinator for Emyooga and the Parish Development Model program, who is also an aspiring MP for Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament on the NRM ticket.
Locals, including youth leaders and Village Health Teams (VHTs), decried the strain on families and the misuse of PDM funds on private healthcare, due to the absence of a public facility.
Agatha Claire Namasaba, VHT Coordinator for Nakaloke, underscored the health gap. “Our health policy mandates every sub-county and town council to have a Health Centre III offering outpatient care, maternity, and lab services. Here in Nakaloke Rural, there’s nothing. Mothers struggle to immunize children and attend antenatal clinics in distant centres like Nakaloke and Namanyonyi,” she said.
She added that rural mothers face discrimination during health outreaches. “Sometimes, when we go to those centres during health campaigns, we’re told services are for town council residents only—we are turned away.”
Namasaba made a direct appeal to Namuwenge: “Mama Ritah, we have land. All we ask is government support to construct a health unit. Mothers walk miles without transport, and men rarely provide the help they need.” She also requested that the city fence off Mabale Primary School to improve safety for pupils.
Robert Busiku Mashate, a youth leader, added that many expectant mothers are forced to walk to faraway health centres due to lack of motorcycle (bodaboda) fares, risking delivery complications or missing antenatal services altogether.
In response, Namuwenge pledged to become a “substitute player” who delivers results. “I used to play netball—when a player keeps missing, the coach substitutes her. I’m that substitute full of energy and ready to score. Trust me with your mandate, and you won’t regret it,” she told the gathering.
Namuwenge also cited her success managing the Emyooga program, adding, “If elected, I will ensure we ‘fall in the box, get a penalty, and score’—this time, with a health centre for Nakaloke Rural.”
Residents now hope their plea through Namuwenge will prompt the government to prioritize health infrastructure in the underserved ward, ensuring equitable access to medical services across Mbale City Division.
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