By Ronald Nahabwe
Sinohydro Ltd Karuma, a Chinese company constructing Karuma hydroelectricity dam, has offered to enhance and elevate the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Field Artillery Division’s Health Center IV in Masindi district, to a fully-fledged hospital with surgery and accommodation facilities as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The Health Center IV is always open to members of the public and is therefore shared between the military and the surrounding communities.
It handles a total number of 100 out-patients and 40 are admitted daily. It is headed by Dr Bisero Yesero and other UPDF medical staff.
While officiating at the ground-breaking and laying of the foundation stone on Friday October 11, 2019, the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. David Muhoozi thanked Sinohydro for extending a helping hand by supporting the health sector of Uganda.
“Such a gesture strengthens the ties between the two countries,Uganda and China, and you have chosen the right and purposeful support,” said Gen Muhoozi.
The CDF informed the public that a theater, laboratory, mortuary, Nurses quarters, Doctors’ houses and waiting shed will be constructed to elevate the facility to a fully-fledged hospital.
Speaking at the same function the Commander Field Artillery Division Maj. Gen. Sam Okiding, thanked the Chief of Medical Services for ensuring this offer came to the Division, saying Artillery personnel and civilians are the biggest beneficiaries and he will ensure that all is in place for the project to end successfully.
The Chief of Medical Services Maj. Gen. Ambrose Musinguzi informed the guests that the hospital will cost over USD1.5m and that the Ministry of Health will help install all the equipment that match the new facility.
The project manager Sinohydro Corporation Mr Deng and his team thanked the UPDF for the good working relationship and also thanked the government of Uganda for giving them opportunity to undertake various projects.
He added that as Sinohydro, they offered to construct a school, and hospital as part of their corporate social responsibility
At the end the ceremony, the CDF Muhoozi and the Project manager Sinohydro Mr. Deng planted a tree to symbolize the good working relationship between Uganda and China, and another one was planted with Maj. Gen. Okiding to signify UPDF’s commitment to protecting and preserving the environment.
The ceremony was attended by UPDF representative to Parliament Hon. Brig. Flavia Byekwaso , Chiefs, Directors and Staff Officers of Field Artillery Division, Eng. Badru Kigundu and leaders from Masindi District.
The hospital will see quality services offered to both the military servicemen and civilians who access the facility.
