In Summary: The mortuary refrigerator is expected to ease the burden on families who have been transporting bodies about 90 kilometres to Apac General Hospital for preservation. However, Akokoro Health Centre IV says it still needs a dedicated mortuary building to house the equipment and provide appropriate services, placing pressure on Apac District Local Government to address the infrastructure gap.
Apac, Uganda — Maruzi County MP Peter Obong Acuda has used his August 2026 parliamentary salary to purchase a mortuary refrigerator for Akokoro Health Centre IV, seeking to ease the burden on bereaved families who have struggled to preserve the bodies of their loved ones.
For years, families in Akokoro Sub-county and neighbouring communities have faced difficulties accessing mortuary services, with some forced to transport bodies about 90 kilometres to Apac General Hospital for preservation.
The long distance, coupled with transportation costs and the emotional distress of losing relatives, has made the process particularly challenging for many households.
Speaking to DailyExpress in an interview on Friday, Acuda said his decision to purchase the refrigerator was informed by the suffering he had witnessed among constituents whenever they lost family members.
“I decided to use my August parliamentary salary to buy this mortuary refrigerator because our people have been facing serious challenges whenever they lose their loved ones. The distance from Akokoro to Apac General Hospital is about 90 kilometres, and transporting bodies over such a distance is not easy for grieving families,” he said.
The legislator said the donation was also his way of appreciating the people of Maruzi County for the confidence and support they gave him during the 2026 general elections.
“I wanted to give back to the people who entrusted me with their leadership. Their support during the 2026 general elections means a lot to me, and I believe one of the best ways to appreciate them is by responding to the challenges affecting their daily lives,” he said.
Acuda added that leadership should go beyond political promises and involve identifying practical problems affecting communities and finding ways of addressing them.
He said the intervention was intended to restore dignity to bereaved families, reduce transportation expenses and give relatives adequate time to organise burials without the added pressure of finding distant mortuary facilities.
Residents across Maruzi County welcomed the donation, saying the equipment addresses a longstanding community need.
Okello Patrick of Ibuje Town Council said the availability of a mortuary refrigerator at Akokoro Health Centre IV would ease the difficulties families have experienced when a relative dies.
He said the intervention was particularly important for ordinary households that often struggle to meet the costs associated with transporting and preserving bodies far from their communities.
Mary Acio of Amii-Amilo in Ibuje Sub-county also welcomed the gesture, describing it as a practical intervention that responds to everyday challenges facing residents.
She said having the equipment within reach would help families manage the difficult period following the death of a loved one without the additional burden of travelling long distances.
Mzee Luzino Okello of Apoi Sub-county equally applauded the legislator, noting that access to mortuary facilities is an important aspect of community dignity and service delivery.
He said the donation would particularly benefit families that need additional time to make burial arrangements, mobilise resources and bring relatives together before laying their loved ones to rest.
Apac District Secretary for Health and Education Odongo Jaspher also supported the intervention, describing it as a welcome contribution towards addressing service delivery challenges in the district.
Odongo emphasised the importance of collaboration between elected leaders and local government authorities in improving access to essential services, particularly in rural communities where infrastructure gaps continue to affect residents.
However, despite welcoming the equipment, Akokoro Health Centre IV in-charge Dr Robina Akello said the facility still lacked a dedicated mortuary building to accommodate the services.
Akello confirmed that the health centre had received the refrigerator but appealed to Apac District Local Government to construct a proper mortuary structure.
She said the facility had been operating without a dedicated mortuary since its elevation from Health Centre III to Health Centre IV in July 2025.
“We have received the mortuary refrigerator, and we appreciate the support. However, we still need a dedicated mortuary building where this equipment can be properly housed and used to serve the community,” Akello said.
She urged district authorities to prioritise construction of the facility, saying the refrigerator alone would not address all the infrastructure requirements needed to provide appropriate mortuary services.
The upgrade of Akokoro Health Centre to Health Centre IV was intended to strengthen healthcare delivery and bring essential services closer to residents. However, the absence of supporting infrastructure remains a concern for the facility’s management.
Acuda’s intervention therefore comes amid calls for increased investment in rural health infrastructure, including facilities that support the dignified handling and preservation of deceased persons.
While residents have welcomed the legislator’s personal contribution, attention is now turning to Apac District Local Government to respond to the health centre’s appeal for a dedicated mortuary building.
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