Masindi Assistant RDC Asiimwe calls for blood donation
“We are committed to ensuring an adequate blood supply at Hoima Blood Bank, but we need the community’s participation,” she emphasized.
Masindi: The Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) for Masindi, Patrick ‘Makombo’ Asiimwe, has urged residents of Masindi and Bunyoro to embrace blood donation as a vital effort to save lives.
Speaking on Friday at the launch of a blood donation drive in Masindi, Asiimwe emphasized that blood donation is crucial because there is no machine that manufactures blood it can only come from selfless individuals willing to save lives.
The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), in collaboration with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), successfully collected 1,740 units of blood in a five-day donation drive held in Masindi District.
The campaign, which ran from January 27 to January 31, will resume in May to further address the region’s blood shortage.
“We should embrace and donate blood because there is no machine that manufactures it. The only way to save lives is through blood donation,” said Patrick ‘Makombo’ Asiimwe, Masindi ARDC.
Asiimwe highlighted that the blood donation drive also marks the launch of the new Bunyoro Regional Blood Bank in Hoima, aimed at reducing blood shortages in hospitals and health centers across the region.
He urged all Ugandans to contribute, stressing that today’s donation could save a loved one tomorrow.
Asiimwe acknowledged that certain religious and traditional beliefs in Masindi and Bunyoro discourage blood transfusion and modern medical practices.
He cited President Museveni’s stance, urging religious and community leaders to support scientific medicine rather than reject it.
“President Museveni has always guided religious and community leaders to avoid spreading scientific misinformation. While faith is important, medical science is tested and replicable,” Asiimwe stated.
He emphasized that even when a pastor or traditional healer claims to have healed someone, the NRM government requires a confirmatory medical test to validate such claims.
Sarah Mutegombwa, URCS Programs Manager in charge of blood donor recruitment, revealed that since partnering with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, they have collected 2,100 units of blood in two weeks across locations like Bugagaizi East and West, Buliisa, Bujenje, and Masindi Municipality.
The country needs 450,000 units of blood annually (approximately 1% of the population). However, only 33,600 units are collected annually, leaving a critical shortfall.
Mutegombwa urged the public to donate regularly, stressing that blood expires within 35 days and hospitals are always in need.
“We are committed to ensuring an adequate blood supply at Hoima Blood Bank, but we need the community’s participation,” she emphasized.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256394700683.
