For years, seeking maternal care at Rubaare Health Centre IV in Ntungamo District was a daunting experience for many mothers. Overcrowded wards, limited delivery space, and long waiting hours often forced expectant mothers to travel long distances in search of safer alternatives.
Brenda Kwarisiima, a mother from Rubaare, recalls the uncertainty that defined childbirth for many women in the area. With few beds and overstretched health workers, access to quality maternal care often felt out of reach.
“We would wait for hours or be referred elsewhere because the facility could not handle the numbers. Many of us had to travel to Itojo Hospital, which was very expensive for people like us who survive hand to mouth,” she said.
Her experience reflects a wider challenge in Ntungamo District, which covers over 2,056 square kilometers and serves a population of more than 500,000 people. At Rubaare Health Centre IV, inadequate infrastructure and limited equipment have long placed both mothers and newborns at risk, while piling pressure on already strained health workers.
Local leaders say the situation has had serious consequences. Area Member of Parliament Naome Kabasharira noted that the gaps in maternal healthcare have contributed to preventable complications, with delays in accessing services often proving life threatening.
However, a new intervention is beginning to shift this reality.
A newly constructed maternity ward at Rubaare Health Centre IV, supported with medical equipment worth UGX 20 million, is expected to significantly improve maternal and newborn care in the area. The facility has been equipped with eight modern patient beds, two delivery beds, and 100 mama kits to support safe childbirth and postnatal care.
The maternity ward, built in memory of the late Hasiinah Kariisa, mother of businessman and Rotarian Kin Kariisa, stands as both a tribute and a practical response to the region’s pressing healthcare needs.
Presiding over the handover, the Minister of State for Health in charge of General Duties, Hanifa Kawooya, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely investment in saving lives. She emphasized that strengthening maternal health infrastructure is key to reducing preventable deaths among mothers and infants.
She also reaffirmed government commitment to further support the facility, including plans to prioritize the installation of an operating theatre to enhance service delivery.
The project received support from Stanbic Bank Uganda in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kigo, as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare in underserved communities.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, Corporate Social Investment Manager Diana Ondoga said the intervention aligns with a broader commitment to national development and community wellbeing.
“Uganda is our home, and we are committed to driving its growth. Supporting maternal health is one of the most impactful ways we can invest in the future of our communities,” she said.
Since 2021, the bank has distributed more than 23,000 mama kits and medical supplies to 85 health facilities across the country, supporting maternal and child health services in both urban and rural communities.
Kin Kariisa expressed appreciation to the partners who supported a project that carries deep personal meaning.
“This maternity ward is not just a tribute to my mother, but a commitment to ensuring that mothers in rural Uganda can access safe and dignified healthcare,” he said.
Health officials in Ntungamo say the upgraded facility is expected to ease congestion, improve service delivery, and significantly reduce maternal and neonatal risks in the area.
For mothers like Brenda, the changes signal a new chapter. With improved facilities and equipment, access to safe and reliable maternal care is no longer a distant hope, but an emerging reality.
“Now we feel safe coming here. Everything is new, and it gives us confidence that both mothers and babies will be well taken care of,” she said.
