Buganda Kingdom is constructing a private hospital in Buddu County, Masaka city. The hospital will be named Muteesa II Memorial Health Centre IV and will be operated by the Kingdom at the level of a Health Centre IV.
This is one of three similar projects that the Kingdom is undertaking to bring improved and affordable health services closer to the local communities.
The other two projects are in Singo and Kyaggwe counties, in Mityana municipality and Buikwe districts respectively.
The construction of the hospital is being funded by the Buganda Kingdom and is expected to cost 1.5 billion Shillings in the first phase. The hospital is expected to begin operation next year.
The Buganda Minister in Charge of Local Government, Joseph Kawuki, has expressed disappointment with bureaucratic tendencies in some technical offices within Masaka City Council, which he says have slowed down the project.
He has cautioned the City leadership against unnecessary bureaucracies, which he says frustrate investments and the area’s development opportunities.
The Chairperson for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Michael Mulindwa Nakumusana, says that the project is a grand opportunity for their area, whose population is steadily increasing due to urbanization.
He says that city leadership regrets the delays in the execution of the project, however indicating that they are engaging as the relevant stakeholders to avoid similar frustrations in the future.
Overall, this is a positive development for the people of Buddu County and Masaka city. The new hospital will provide much-needed healthcare services to the community and will help to improve the quality of life for many people.