Commissioning of Tororo health facility stalls amid contractor dispute

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Residents of Nagongera subcounty in Tororo district continue to face delays in accessing crucial healthcare services after the commissioning of an upgraded health centre was suspended amid allegations of political interference.

The inauguration of the upgraded Namwaya Health Centre II to Health Centre III—a project valued at over sh920 million—was abruptly called off on May 27, 2025, following a standoff between the contractor and district officials.

Initially expected to be completed within eight months of the June 2023 handover to RAK Bold Edge Joint Venture Construction Company, the project has experienced delays due to funding gaps.

The centre’s commissioning was anticipated to significantly improve healthcare access in the area. However, district chairperson John Okea and his secretary for works and technical services, Molly Anyeko Cheria, who also serves as the councillor for Kisoko and Petta subcounties, insisted the facility would not be opened until the contractor settles outstanding debts owed to workers and addresses plumbing issues.

"I don't care if the over sh80 million this man wants from the district goes back to the national treasury," Okea stated. "He must first clear the debts he owes the workers and fix the plumbing problems before we commission this project."



Cheria supported Okea’s position, describing the contractor as “uncooperative and inflexible.”

"The contractors in this district should understand that we are their bosses and have to guide them towards what is right for the population of this district. Commissioning this health facility shouldn't be his priority compared to paying those who worked to ensure it reached this stage," she said.

Despite resident district commissioner (RDC), Sadiq Bakale Bategana, giving the green light for the commissioning and warning of the consequences of further delays, the district officials remained resolute.

Bakale proposed a contractual arrangement where the contractor would be required to pay the workers upon receiving the balance of the contract funds, potentially avoiding the risk of money being returned to the Treasury and further legal entanglements.

Patrick Omita, the assistant district health officer (in charge of environmental health), who represented the district health officer, emphasised the importance of commissioning the facility immediately to aid planning for equipment and drug allocation.

"We're now in the final planning stages to determine the quantities of medicine needed for each facility, and the Namwaya upgrade as a Health Centre III will streamline our planning for its operationalisation," Omita explained.

Efforts by the contractor to reach an agreement with district political leaders, supported by technical advisors and officials from the President’s Office, collapsed after the leaders walked away from the negotiations, insisting the contractor must first settle his debts.

This deadlock has sparked public outrage, with residents forced to travel over eight kilometres to access the nearest facilities in Nagongera, Mulanda, or Kisoko/Petta. Locals accused district leaders of prioritising debt recovery over public health needs.

Richard Odongo, a local elder, also accused district officials of undermining the project from the outset, suggesting it was never their intention to support the upgrade of Namwaya Health Centre.

"I remember when this facility was first earmarked for upgrade, its funds were diverted to Kamuli Health Centre in Akadot subcounty, and now that new funds have been allocated, the district officials are behaving like hyenas," the elder stated.

The contractor reportedly owes about sh15 million in staff wages, while he is still demanding over sh80 million from the district.