Zombo, Uganda: Health authorities in Zombo District have issued an urgent appeal to political leaders and Members of Parliament to fast-track connection of the national electricity grid to the newly commissioned Amwonyu Health Centre III, warning that the facility’s full potential risks being undermined by unreliable power supply.
The call was made during the commissioning of the Shs2.6 billion health facility in Akaa Sub-County, where district officials raised concerns over the limitations of the solar power system currently serving the centre.
Zombo District Health Officer Mark Bramali said repeated lightning strikes have damaged key solar components, disrupting service delivery.
“Lightning has repeatedly compromised the solar infrastructure,” Dr Bramali said. “We have already replaced the inverter once and spent Shs2.7 million on a new charge controller as an interim measure. However, with national grid poles already erected within the facility and the power line nearby, connection is technically feasible and would provide a stable primary power source, with solar serving as backup.”
Gazetted as a Health Centre III effective July 1, 2025, Amwonyu HC III is now mandated to deliver the full Uganda Minimum Health Care Package, including basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, inpatient and outpatient services, antenatal and postnatal care, immunisation, family planning, HIV and TB co-management, minor surgical procedures, and essential laboratory diagnostics.
The facility serves a predominantly agrarian population along the Uganda–DRC border, an area characterised by high health demand and cross-border patient influx.
Constructed under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UGIFT), the centre is one of only seven national model Health Centre IIIs and one of two in the West Nile sub-region.
Phase I of the project funded the maternity and general wards at a cost of Shs960 million, alongside specialised obstetric equipment worth Shs205 million. Phase II, implemented in FY 2024/2025, covered the outpatient department, staff housing and fencing (Shs1.2 billion) and additional clinical and diagnostic equipment (Shs200 million).
Nyagak III raises expectations
The appeal has gained momentum following the commissioning of the Nyagak III Hydropower Plant (6.6MW) in Zombo District, with stakeholders arguing that priority should be given to electrifying critical public infrastructure such as health facilities.
Ora County MP Songa Biyika Lawrence acknowledged the challenge and pledged to escalate the matter. “Electricity connectivity is a priority for seamless operations,” Songa said. “I commit to pushing this issue at the highest levels so that this facility can fully serve our people.”
According to the district health department, the upgrade has already delivered major gains. Annual allocations for essential medicines and health supplies have increased from Shs14.07 million to Shs40.09 million, while staffing levels have expanded from two to sixteen health workers, achieving 96 per cent of previous norms.
A phased recruitment roadmap aims to reach the Ministry of Health’s revised target of 55 staff by 2031 under National Development Plan IV.
Assistant RDC Bruno Mananu praised the investment but urged communities to make full use of the services. “This facility is a major government commitment. Communities must prioritise health-seeking behaviour to maximise its impact,” Mananu said.
The commissioning ceremony was marked by jubilation from residents, with district officials confirming that all equipment had been delivered. Minor defects identified will be corrected under the defects liability period at no additional cost.
Local leaders applauded community cooperation during construction, noting that the project recorded zero cases of theft or land disputes.
Mothers who attended the event described the facility as a game-changer in reducing maternal and perinatal mortality through improved skilled birth attendance and timely emergency response.
Zombo District, which serves more than 300,000 residents across nearly 17 public health facilities, continues to grapple with high patient numbers, especially in border areas. The commissioning of Amwonyu HC III, following last year’s opening of Otheko HC III, marks a significant step in closing access gaps, with reliable electricity now seen as the final missing link.
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