HOW SHS. 268 WAS SPENT ON TWO MATERNITY WARDS IN KAMWENGE DISTRICT

The communities in Kamwenge district questioned how the Shs. 268Million was spent on just two maternity wards that could even cost less in the public eye. The RDC of Kamwenge district took interest in the community concerns by joining RWECO, KALI and the community monitors in monitoring the projects in Kiyagara HCII, Kahungye Sub county, and Kanara HCII, Kanara Sub county,

Findings

The monitoring team sharing notes

The Kiyagara HCII Maternity ward that will cost shs. 192Million

Key findings at Kiyagara HCII, Kahungye Sub county:

•Contractor: YANKA Enterprises limited

•Work started  on 22/03/2013

•Main building  at shs.192,185,200

•Placenta PIT   shs.2,000,000

•Medical Pit  shs.2,000,000

•3 stance latrine shs.9,000,000

•Total cost  is shs.201,185,200

Kiyagara receives 600,410  per quarter  servicing 1000 patients from 7 Parishes per month

 Unfinished works at Kiyagara HCII

•Grinding the flour

•Painting

•Internal door  shatters

•Electrical  Installations for solar and Hydro

•Plumbing and Drainage

•Medical waste pit

Kanara HCII

Kanara HCII, that will cost the tax payer shs. 203 million

 

•Contractor: Block Technical services

•Work started on 22/03/2013

•Preliminaries  at shs.27,500,000/=

•Maternity Ward shs. 203,020,200/=

•3 stance latrine shs. 17,618,330/=

•Medical Waste and Placenta Pit  2 x  7,000,000= Shs. 14,000,000/

Total shs.262,138,330Actual in the Agreement is shs. 263,138, 530/=

Is   there value for money  by spending shs.201,185,200 on Kiyagara and shs.263,138, 530/= on Kanara for the  same work?

Did the service user  follow the ministry of health specification on maternity ward construction?

Will the maternity ward serve high population

What is the implication of paying  a  3 stance latrine  at shs. 9,000,000/= in Kiyagara  and shs.17,618,330/= at Kanara?

A pit latrine that will cost the tax payer shs. 14M

 What about  Placenta PIT   2,000,000 in Kiyagara and 7,000,000 at Kanara? 

Getting instant feedback from the community during the joint monitoring exercise at Kiyagara HCII, Kahungye S/C,

Compiled by
Geofrey Bwambale and Angella Biira
KALI Staff

 

Kasese expectant women brave the national park to deliver in hospitals

Patients take shelter under trees during the health workers’ strike over unpaid salary arrears in Kasese District last year. Health centres at landing sites in the district lack essential services. Photo by Misairi Thembo Kahungu 

 

By  Misairi Thembo Kahungu

Posted  Friday, August 22  2014 at  01:00

 The picture that landing sites in Uganda creates in the mind of citizens is not a rosy one.

The landing sites in Kasese District are no exception. Six in number, Hamukungu, Kasenyi, Kahendero, Katunguru, Katwe and Kayanzi landing sites are lagging behind in service delivery. All the six are spread across Lakes George, Edward and Kazinga Channel.

Aside from other infrastructure, health service delivery at these sites is in a poor state compared to what the communities on the mainland receive.

Currently, it is only Katwe Landing Site (doubling as Katwe-Kabatoro Town Council) and Kasenyi Landing Site that have health centre IIIs where the communities can access maternity and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services.

Such remains a dream for Kayanzi, Kahendero, Katunguru and Hamukungu landing sites. Most of the big health cases in these landing sites are taken to Bwera, Kagando and Kilembe hospitals, which are between 40 and 50kms away.

In addition to the long distances, people have to brave the risks that come with moving through Queen Elizabeth National Park.

According to Mr Peter Kakule, the chairperson of the Beach Management Unit at Kayanzi Landing Site on Lake Edward, expectant mothers are rushed through the national park to Bwera Hospital when in labour.

Danger of elephants
They sometimes face obstacles along the way such as herds of elephants since the motorcycle is the main means of transport. However, the health centre II is rendering other services well.

“In Kayanzi, the health centre nowadays has staff and the drugs are delivered on time, but the biggest challenge is still lack of maternity facilities. The same challenge is faced by our people with HIV/Aids,” Mr Kakule said.

At Hamukungu Health Centre II in Lake Katwe Sub-county, Ms Nyesi Biira, a midwife, seems to be redundant. She is like a servant sent to the garden without a hoe to dig.

She says the health centre does not have maternity facilities where women can deliver from.

Her work is only limited to antenatal care to expectant women after which she refers them to a hospital for delivery. In most cases, they do not heed and opt for the Traditional Birth Attendants arguing that the hospitals are far away, she says.

Long queues
“I am not busy like I was in Kasangali health centre in Bwesumbu Sub-county where pregnant women for delivery overwhelmed me. Here, there is no maternity ward. I only sit and wait for Thursday when a handful of women come for antenatal care moreover without their husbands,” Ms Nyesi says.

According to Mr Yusuf Mawazo, the national programmes coordinator for Uganda Fish and Fisheries Conservation Association, much as the landing sites in all parts of the country are a little bit similar in nature, those is Kasese District are lagging behind on all government services because they are hard-to-reach.
Mr Mawazo said in addition to having bad roads, some of the landing sites have no clean water, poor sanitation projects and lack of access to modern public latrines.

He cites an example of Kayanzi Landing Site where the only public latrine constructed by the local government was abandoned due to shoddy work about four years ago.

“All landing sites in Uganda look more less the same in nature, save for those in Entebbe, Kampala and Jinja that are close to administration centres.

They receive good services compared to those in Kasese,” said Mr Mawazo, whose organisation has been working on landing sites for five years.

State of structures
At Hamukungu health centre II, it is by the grace of God that the main block that includes a treatment room, the office of the in charge and the drugs store has not collapsed because it is dilapidated. On arrival, one is welcomed by the bats that have also littered the would be main hall with their waste.

The in-charge was not on duty when we visited the health centre. The nurses available open the centre and wait at their residences for any call for help. The wild pigs make use of the compound as a playing field.

The chairperson management committee, Mr Abdul Karim, says the health centre with a committed staff of five people, currently needs new structures to cater for a maternity ward to reduce on the risks of women delivering in the middle of Queen Elizabeth National Park on their way to hospitals.

He said in 2012, a woman delivered twins just about 4 kms inside the national park as she was being rushed to Kilembe hospital 45 kms away. She has since relocated to Kainja landing site in Kamwenge District.

What has been done?
However, the Kasese District local government is doing its best to balance the health services on landing sites with the mainland, as is revealed by the secretary for social services, Mr John Businge.

According Mr Businge, aside from posting more staff and intensifying the supervision of drugs, health centers in Kayanzi, Kasenyi, Katunguru and Hamukungu have received some fairly good buildings.

Some work needs to be done at Hamukungu Health centre II and Katwe health center III to have the maternity wards fully operational.

“With little budgetary allocations to the health sector, we have tried to construct houses at health centres in Kayanzi, Katunguru, Kahendero and Kasenyi in the last three years.

At Kasenyi we got support of the development partners who have helped upgrade the centre to the level of three. We are planning to renovate the maternity ward in Katwe and also build one at Hamukungu,” Mr Businge said.

Mr Businge revealed that Shs20 million was spent on the construction of a solar powered gravity flow scheme that supplies Hamukungu landing site with water.

What is needed?
Mr Yusuf Mawazo, who has experience in working with fishing communities in Uganda, calls for a bottom up planning.

He said the Kasese District local government should carry out a special needs assessment at the landing sites so that the people are able to point out what they want to be done for them.

WAY OF LIFE AT THE LANDING SITE

The way of life at the landing sites in Kasese is not different from what other landing sites in the country are experiencing.

The men concentrate on fishing as the women remain at home doing domestic work. The flourishing businesses do not exclude bars and lodges which has to a large extent contributed to the exploding spread of HIV.

According to HIV/Aids activist attached to the national council of women living with HIV/Aids, Ms Rehema Aryema, who has been traversing the landing sites sensitising the masses about the prevention of the scourge, the people care less about protected sex.

“The men at the landing sites only enjoy booze and sex. This increases the spread of HIV as women and youth are also not spared in their way of life. It is not easy to control this at the landing sites as the mindset of the people about positive living remains highly negative,” Ms Aryema said.

Releasing the report on status of HIV/Aids early this year, the Kasese District HIV/Aids focal person, Mr John Thawite, pointed out the landing sites are among the scourge’s major hotspots.
Quoting the 2012 national Aids indicator survey, he rated the prevalence rate of Kasese District at about 11per cent which is higher than the national rate of 7.3 per cent.

Majority of the cases are recorded in communities along the lake shores.

However, in some areas where persons living with HIV have disclosed and accepted positive living, the government has not yet extended the services to them fully despite some efforts by nongovernmental organisations.

Mr John Bosco Onyango a resident of Katunguru landing site says that much as the health center II in the area has been given ART services, the staff are not yet committed to the patients and usually absent themselves from duty.

He says on some days patients have turned back without a service due to cases of absenteeism.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

Accessed on Friday 22/08/2014 from:http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Kasese-expectant-women-brave-the-national-park-t/-/688342/2426700/-/item/0/-/10wmm23/-/index.html 

DEFENCE MINISTER TIPS KASESE ON HYEGIENE PRACTICES

PICTORIAL KARAMBI ACTION FOR IMPROVEMENT LAUNCHES SANITATION AND HYGIENE CAMPAIGN IN KASESE DISTRICT, SATURDAY 16TH AUG, 2014

Accessed from the New Vision, Tuesday, August, 2014. Page 9.

Mr. Mkamba Augustine, Chairperson KALI handover sanitation kits to Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga during the launch on Sat 16th, August, 2014 at Mpondwe Primary School

KALI Members and staff jubilating at the handover of the sanitation and hygiene kits to hon. Dr. Kiyonga ( with mic)

LCs giving their report after an inspection of Mpondwe Primary School, latrines during the launch of the sanitation kits on Sat, 16th Aug, 2014 by Hon. Dr. Kiyonga, MP and Minister of Defence

Participants at the launch of the Sanitation and Hygiene Campaign in Kasese district

By KALI Staff

Kasese to flood for 2 years - experts

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Part of the damage caused by the River Nyamwamba burst and subsequent floods in Kasese last week. PHOTO BY THEMBO KAHUNGU 

By FELIX BASIIME & THEMBO KAHUNGU MISAIRI

Posted  Tuesday, May 13  2014 at  01:00

 

KASESE- Government is asking for Shs30 billion to de-silt river Nyamwamba to stop the bursting of its banks, which has resulted in floods that have claimed lives and property.

However, experts say this move, may not comprehensively deal with the problem since there are several other rivers emanating from the Rwenzori mountain ranges that also burst the banks not to mention other environmental factors in the region causing floods.

Kasese District has been hit by floods every year for the last 5 years leading to loss of lives and property but the magnitude of the damage caused by the large volumes of water has increased since May 2013.

Environmental and hydrological experts say that the floods may be experienced for the next two years or so, a situation that has been created by climate change. The western region focal person and public awareness officer for Nema, Mr Jeconious Musingwiire has warned that the challenges of floods should be expected a little longer.

“The challenges are trans-boundary as some come from Democratic Republic of Congo as the Rwenzori ranges spread far from the Uganda border”

Mr Musingwiire lists tree planting, restoration of degraded sections of bare grounds and critical river line wetlands, and promotion of soil and water conservation structures in the agricultural fields as the quickest solution to the dilemma.

He also advises the environmental laws which regulate an area of 30 metres around the river banks be observed to allow the stabilisation of the banks.

“To achieve this, we need to bring all stakeholders on board and allow participatory planning and implementation especially in the enforcement of laws” observed Musingwiire.

The Kasese district environment officer, Mr Augustine Koli said by the time of the new floods, the district was waiting for the Office of the Prime Minister to fulfill a $10,000 (Shs25 m) pledge to take on disaster risk reduction programmes that include the river training.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

accessed on Tuesday 13th May, 2014  from:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasese-to-flood-for-2-years---experts/-/688334/2312512/-/e66vsbz/-/index.html 

 

IHANDIRO SUB COUNTY PLEDGES MIDDAY MEALS TO ALL SCHOOLS

Mr. Elisha Muliwabyo Former Didtrict inspector of schools guest speaker.

On Thursday 24^th October, 2013; KALI supported Education conference for Ihandiro Sub County. It was held at kibirigha Church of Uganda in Ihandiro Sub county. the conference was attended by Mr. Elisha Muliwabyo former district inspector of schools,Isemuzora current district inspector of schools, District councilors, GS0, all headteachers of secondary and primary schools in Ihandiro,students representatives among others.

BACKGROUND:

Ihandiro Sub County has been the fountain of Education in Kasese District and Bwera zone in particular where persons of high profile including academicians, politicians, businessmen and professionals hail from.

But this glory has been distorted by continued poor performance in academic since the 1990s. in realization of this problem, the Sub County in partnership with KALI organized an Education Conference on 28^th Jan, 2010 where stakeholders identified problems that  were affecting  academic performance in the Sub County.

However, there has been an appreciation that there has been some registered improvement in some aspects that were identified.

Hence the Sub County and still in partnership with KALI organized yet another Education Conference on Thursday 24^th October, 2013 particularly to review the progress so for made since the last conference of 2010.

                                 Participants during education conference

 The theme of the conference was TACKLING AND ENHANCING EDUCATION IN IHANDIRO SUB COUNTY as a major focus of development.

The objectives of the Education conference of 24/10/2013 were:

-         To raise more awareness on importance of Education.

-         To re-emphasis the different roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.

-         To share information on the status of Education in the Sub County.

-         To identify activities and critical requirements for uplifting Education standards and performance in the Sub County.

-         To discus and therefore come up with ideas, solutions and way forward to support the implementation of the action points raised to improve the education standards and academic performance in the Sub County.  

The participants at the Education conference included a representative of the District chairperson Hon Nyawathekwa James, District Councilor for Ihandiro, a representative of the DEO Mr. Baluku Costa, assistant DEO, Headteachers, SMC and PTAs chairpersons, Senior Women Teachers, Senior Male Teachers, student leaders, Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu cultural leaders and native Chiefs, Community Monitors, Role models,Go Back to School Taskforce Committee, LCs, religious leaders, opinion leaders, representative of the Business Community, Sub County staff and Councilors, NGOs / CBOs.

               KALI staff Mr. Muhesi Nicholas,presenting during the conference.

KALI, the co-sponsor of the Education Conference was represented by Mr. Muhesi Nicholas the Programs Officer-Enhancing Civic competence in Social Accountability and Mr. Bwambale Geoffrey, the Programs Officer-School Water, Sanitation and Hygiene-WASH.

The lead facilitator at the Education Conference was Mr. Muliwabyo Elisha, Associate Assessor and former Inspector of Schools -Kasese District. The co-facilitators were Mr. Kule Josephat Mutahunga-Sub County Chief and Mr. Baluku Phinehas ,Sub County Chairperson.

The outputs of the Education conference were: 

-         The Different roles and responsibilities of stakeholders clarified.

-         Role models identified.

-         Community members involvement in Education appreciated.

-         Policy on UPE and USE understood.

WAY FORWARD

During the Education Conference, the stakeholders came up with the following recommendations and action points as a way forward to improve academic in the Sub County.

NO	ACTIVITY	TIMEFRAME	RESPONSIBLE PERSON
1.	Giving Homework, regular  tests and revision of past  papers.	1st Term 2014	Zone leaders Headteachers Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga, MP and Minister of Defence.
2.	Midday meals to all Schools  Children and teachers.		Sub County Chief,  C/person LC III Headteachers
3.	Inter School academic  Competition; debates, tests and exams competitions		Zonal leader Headteacher Director of studies
4.	Routine supervision,  inspection of schools and  Monitoring.		Sub County Chief Zonal Assessors
5.	Joint planning between the Sub County and Schools		Sub County Chief LC III Chairperson
6.	Continuous Education  Sensitization meetings  for  Parents and other stakeholders.		Sub County Chief Headteachers LC III Chairperson, KALI
7.	Arrangement for Education  Conferences.		SUB County Chief LC III Chairperson Headteachers, KALI
8.	Guidance and Counseling		SWTs, SMTs, S/C/C, LC III Chairperson, HTRS
9.	Teachers commitment and  Education research.		Headteachers, Sub County  Chief
10.	Intensive practice of Cluster  Parent Groups.		Headteachers, Sub County Chief, New Eden Christian
11.	Induction trainings for other  Government structures e.g  SMCs, PTAs, Prefects bodies, Farmers Forum, HUMCs,  WUCs ,TPC, VHTs, PDCs, LCs.		Sub County Chief LC III Chairperson, KALI
12.	Learning tours for pupils,  Teachers and parents.		Headteacher

AREAS THAT NEEDED URGENT ACTION:

·        Conduct Education Conferences to target  and sensitize parents from those parishes that are highly affected by low academic performance. Those Parishes were identified as Buhatiro Parish and Bubotyo Parish-to break the mental barriers that affect Education in those areas.

·        That the Farmers Forum needed training on their duties so as to be equipped in areas of identification of enterprises and procurement methods and how to boost food security that is a pre-requisite for midday meals at schools to boost academic performance.

·        That Dr. Kiyonga, the Minister of Defense continues to use his influence to lobby for Government Grant Aiding of Ihandiro Vocational Secondary School.

Compiled by;

Bwambale Geoffrey

Programme Officer-KALI