Kambuga hospital gets sh43 billion
By: T. Mwajuma Twaha Adams
Kambuga Hospital has fallen into things, as you read this; sh43 billion has been earmarked. This has come at a time when MPs are likening Minister Baryomunsi’s Constituency Hospital to ‘a forest’.
Following the release of images of Kambuga Hospital, where Chris Baryomunsi (pictured), the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology was first rushed after falling ill before he was airlifted to Kampala, a section of MPs have compared it to a forest but not a health facility.
The sentiments were shared by Patrick Isiagi, Chairperson Budget Committee during a meeting held with officials of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, who had appeared to present the 2023/2024 National Budget Framework Paper.
Isiagi said: “I read the news how our Minister got unwell and you are from greater Kigezi, what is that hospital where the Minister was taken? Is it a forest or something else?”
In response, Henry Musasizi, State Minister of Finance-General Duties informed Parliament that plans are underway to inject Shs 43bn in the rehabilitation of the hospital which will be released in phases.
“The facility is called Kambuga hospital, yes as you saw, there is a great need to rehabilitate and improve it, and this financial year, we provided for Shs20Bn to rehabilitate Kambuga hospital, so the plans are underway.”
Kambuga hospital is the only government hospital in Kanungu district, Kanungu is in Western Uganda where the Minister for Information, Communication and Technology, NRM vice chairperson Western Uganda and MP Kinkiizi East constituency.
The development comes after Minister Baryomunsi fainted on Sunday and was airlifted to Mulago National Referral Hospital where he later revealed that he was stable and out of danger.
Friends, yesterday (January 7, 2023) I had a blackout while in my constituency. I was moving from one church function to another. I was rushed to Kambuga Hospital and then airlifted to Mulago Hospital [in Kampala]. I’m now stable and out of danger. No need to worry,” he wrote.
However, soon after the news of the Minister being airlifted hit the public, sections of Ugandans used the opportunity to call for revamping of the country’s health sector, with many alluding to the Minister’s privilege, arguing that the majority of Ugandans don’t enjoy similar privileges and are left to fight for their lives. This could have led to the sh43 billion that was earmarked.