Kiryandongo DHO retires, calls for hard work
Dr. Mutyaba has been the DHO of Kiryandongo since its inception in July 2010.
By Our Reporter
Kiryandongo: Kiryandongo District staff have bid farewell to the retired District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Mutyaba Imaam, who attained mandatory retirement age on November 30, 2023.
In his retirement message, Dr. Mutyaba called upon the district leadership to work hard and improve the staffing level of health workers, which averagely stands at 18%.
He also glorified God for enabling him to serve Uganda for over 30 years without interdiction. Dr. Mutyaba added that he was honored to be the first DHO of Kiryandongo.
“Kiryandongo had areas whose children had never received any vaccination, especially Kimogora, which was hard to reach, but I organized my health workers and facilitated them to go and carry out health outreaches.” He said.
Dr. Mutyaba also shared his experience in 2000 when he contracted Ebola virus disease when other health workers shunned work. “When Ebola broke out, many health workers shunned work. There was no one to help, even after increasing the risk allowance,” he added.
However, Mutyaba’s kindness and bravery during the fight against Ebola earned him a scholarship in Europe to study tropical medicine, a course that helped him grow career-wise to the rank of DHO.
Dr. Mutyaba has been the DHO of Kiryandongo since its inception in July 2010.
He joined the service in 1990 as a dental surgeon in Masindi, and in 2006 he was promoted to medical superintendent of Masindi General Hospital. Dr. Mutyaba later joined Kiryandongo District on cross-transfer in 2010 as a DHO, a position he has held until his retirement.
In 2000, Dr. Mutyaba was recognized as the employee of the year following his tireless efforts in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus disease.
Dr. Betty Nsangi, the Baylor Uganda Regional Coordinator Bunyoro, commended Dr. Mutyaba for his reception of partners, which has enabled them to work closely and deliver services.
‘’Dr. Mutyaba has been representing all the DHOs of Bunyoro on the regional steering committee of Baylor Uganda.’’
Christine Adar, the Assistant District Health Officer in Charge of Maternal and Child Health who has been assigned to caretake as DHO, called upon all the technical staff and political leaders to accord her all the necessary support and guidance during her tenure so as to deliver health services to the people of Kiryandongo.
Martin Jacan Gwokto, the Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), described Dr. Mutyaba as a hardworking and dedicated civil servant who has offered his services to the health sector tirelessly. Gwokto also commended him for his high level of integrity and punctuality.
He called upon all the staff to support the caretaker DHO to deliver effectively. He also thanked the political leadership for creating a conducive environment, which has enabled Kiryandongo to excel in service delivery.
Edith Aliguma Adyeri, the Kiryandongo District chairperson, commended Dr. Imaam for his lobbying skills, which brought on board a number of development partners who contribute to health service delivery. She also appreciated Dr. Mutyaba’s family for taking care of him during his tenure as DHO.
Jonathan Akweteireho, the Nakasongola Deputy Resident District Commissioner, described Dr. Mutyaba as a man of high caliber whom he has known for 15 years. “I have known Dr. Mutyaba for 15 years, right from when I was still a journalist. At one time, there was a commission of inquiry investigating public officers in Masindi, but Dr. Mutyaba’s name never surfaced anywhere because of his values and integrity,” said Akweteireho.
During his tenure as the DHO, Dr. Mutyaba has enabled all government lower-level health facilities to be in a position to carry out maternal services. He has also improved the status of Kiryandongo Hospital, which is ranked number 10 in Uganda.
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