Kampala, Uganda — Isingiro District Woman Member of Parliament Lillian Ruteraho has renewed her push for the upgrading of Rwekubo Health Centre IV to a General Hospital, saying the move would improve access to better medical care for residents of the district.
Ruteraho raised the matter in a discussion with the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Chris Baryomunsi, shortly after a sitting of Parliament in Kampala.
According to Ruteraho, she reminded the minister of the need to upgrade Rwekubo Health Centre IV so that people in Isingiro can access improved healthcare services without facing unnecessary challenges in seeking treatment.
The legislator has made the improvement of health services in Isingiro part of her advocacy, particularly as the district continues to rely on Rwekubo as an important referral facility.
Rwekubo Health Centre IV serves patients referred from lower-level health facilities and handles a substantial number of maternity cases. Parliamentary health-sector assessments have also identified Rwekubo among Health Centre IV facilities handling significant referral workloads.
The proposed upgrade would give the facility a higher level of capacity to manage patients and provide a broader range of medical services within Isingiro, potentially reducing pressure on higher-level referral hospitals.
The demand for upgrading Rwekubo is not new. Isingiro leaders have previously called for the facility to be elevated because of the growing population it serves and the pressure placed on its existing services.
Ruteraho and Minister Baryomunsi agreed that she would continue following up on the matter, keeping the proposed upgrade on the Ministry of Health’s agenda.
The legislator’s renewed intervention is expected to sustain pressure for action on Rwekubo, with residents hoping that the facility will eventually gain General Hospital status and provide more comprehensive healthcare services closer to the people of Isingiro.
