Gulu City, Uganda: Aspirant Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu City, Alima Joyce Reeni, has pledged to prioritize access to quality healthcare for all residents, saying no citizen should suffer due to poor service delivery or a lack of medical attention at government facilities.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Ariyaga on Tuesday, July 8, Reeni accused the current leadership of abandoning the health needs of ordinary people and vowed to advocate for better staffing, timely drug supply, and improved infrastructure in public hospitals.
“For too long, our people have suffered in silence without quality healthcare. As their leader, I promise to raise my voice, fight for their rights, and ensure that every individual in Gulu City has access to the medical care they deserve,” she declared.
Her comments came just days ahead of the NRM primaries slated for next Thursday, July 17, where she is vying for the party flag as Gulu City Woman MP.
Reeni lamented that many women are forced to sell personal property or take loans to pay for treatment, calling such hardships unacceptable under a government committed to public welfare. “Many women in Gulu are paying the highest price just to stay alive or save their children. If elected, I will lobby tirelessly to ensure this ends,” she said.
NRM Leaders and Citizens Echo Health Concerns
Oyet Samuel Agwani, the NRM Publicity Secretary for Gulu City, acknowledged the public frustration but stressed the need for a flag bearer who will expand the party’s support base while addressing pressing needs like health and education.
“We need a leader who understands our vision and will work tirelessly to grow the NRM family, ensuring our continued leadership in Uganda,” Oyet said.
Community members used the rally to voice long-standing concerns over the inefficiency of healthcare delivery in the area.
Akello Pamela, a Gulu City resident, said women are disproportionately burdened by health crises due to the unavailability of their spouses and the limited reach of public services. “As women, we bear the weight of our families’ health. We need support and accessible healthcare services to care for our children and ourselves,” she said.
Lucy Atim, a mother of three, called for urgent reforms to reduce waiting times in government hospitals, warning that inefficient systems were pushing residents toward costly private alternatives. “Long waits at hospitals shouldn’t be part of healing. I appeal to the government to ensure timely medical care for all,” she urged.
Access to quality healthcare remains a major hurdle across Uganda. A 2019 Afrobarometer survey showed that 63% of patients visiting public health facilities encountered difficulties in obtaining necessary services, up from 54% in 2012.
Recent figures suggest nearly 60% of Ugandans still struggle to access adequate healthcare, but Alima Joyce Reeni says she intends to reverse this trajectory by placing healthcare reform at the heart of her legislative agenda.
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