Masindi residents rely on VHTs for medication

Masindi: Residents of Kigulya Division in Masindi Municipality continue to depend on Village Health Teams (VHTs) for basic medical care due to the absence of a government health facility, local leaders have revealed.

Kigulya Division, which was established in 2010 after being carved out of Miirya Sub County, is home to approximately 25,000 people.

Despite its growing population, the area lacks both a Health Centre III and a secondary school, services that, under current government policy, each division or sub county is supposed to have.

Milton Winfred Kutegeka, the LC3 Chairperson for Kigulya Division, expressed concern that the lack of health and education services is forcing residents, including pregnant mothers, to trek long distances to other divisions such as Central, Nyangahya, Karujubu, or back to Miirya Sub County for care.

“Residents either rely on VHTs for treatment or walk long distances to access basic medical services,” Kutegeka said.

During a recent meeting convened by the Office of the President at the district council chambers, officials renewed their appeal for urgent government intervention.

The meeting was led by Mary Grace Kiror, the Deputy Head of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Secretariat, who was in the region to assess government service delivery and project implementation.

The Masindi Municipal Planner Daniel Kisakye noted that students who complete primary education in Kigulya are forced to travel to other divisions to continue with their studies, while patients continue to crowd Masindi Main Hospital due to the absence of a local facility.

“Despite numerous submissions and support from leaders like Minister State for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Balaam Barugahara, the Ministry of Health has not responded,” Kisakye said. He added that the community had already donated and titled land for a health center, but construction stalled due to lack of funds.

Dr. Rogers Musinguzi, Acting Medical Superintendent at Masindi Hospital, used the platform to call for new infrastructure at the facility, which he described as operating in “dilapidated structures.”

He further cited challenges including insufficient staffing, limited drug supply, an aging ambulance, and a faulty standby generator.

Kiror directed the accounting officer to document and submit a formal request for intervention, noting that the availability of land for both a health facility and a school should make it easier for the government to take action.

She also cautioned health workers against corruption and misconduct, urging them to uphold integrity and accountability in service delivery.

Tantara bridge remains inaccessible

Following the meeting, Kiror’s delegation attempted to inspect the Tantara Bridge in Pakanyi Sub County, but poor road conditions on the Alimugonza–Ibaralibi stretch prevented access.

The bridge, which connects Pakanyi and Kiruli Sub Counties, was destroyed by floods five years ago and has since paralyzed access to schools, hospitals, and markets.

Masindi District Engineer Alfred Ocen revealed that a one-billion-shilling allocation under the Agricultural Cluster Development Program (ACDP) had been made to rehabilitate the bridge. However, the contractor withdrew after citing a wider scope of work than initially planned.

“With the onset of the rainy season, we risk losing both lives and political support if the situation is not addressed,” Ocen warned. At least eight people have reportedly died trying to cross the flooded area in the past five years.

Kiror assured residents that the Ministry is aware of the bridge’s condition and committed to its reconstruction. She pledged that her office would continue to follow up on the matter to ensure implementation.

Construction of Masindi Hospital staff quarters

The delegation also monitored the ongoing construction of 16 staff quarters at Masindi Hospital, part of efforts to improve working and living conditions for medical personnel in the district.

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