Rotarians commit to supporting vulnerable expectant women

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Every mother's joy is delivering a healthy child, but tragically, many mothers in hard-to-reach areas lose their lives due to limited access to healthcare facilities.

To ensure safe deliveries for vulnerable expectant mothers at Hallelujah Maternity Clinic in Alebtong district, Rotary Club of Muyenga Sunday Sunset is planning to apply for a global grant from the Rotary Foundation to raise about shillings 208 million ($60,000).

Club president Joseph Ssebwana said that before this Rotary year started, they conducted a needs assessment and found that the health facility lacked the equipment and facilities needed for optimum functioning.

Ssebwana disclosed that the facility lacks enough mattresses, bedsheets and equipment needed for operations in the theatres, stable electricity and a reliable water supply system.

some of the mattresses and bedsheets donated by Rotarians. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)

To ensure mothers receive high-quality healthcare services in the area of maternal and child health, Ssebwana says, “by mobilising at least shillings 25,000 per delivery from the club members, we have been able to support 500 mothers to deliver from the facility. The health facility helps us to have the deliveries greatly subsidised.”

To support more vulnerable mothers, Ssebwana says they are working with global grants so that they can finish up all the requirements that they identified in the needs assessment. These include, water, electricity, beds in the maternity ward, and also supporting mothers with a delivery fee of sh20,000.”

He made the remarks during the handover of 20 mattresses and 50 pairs of bedsheets to Hallelujah Maternity Clinic at International Hotel Muyenga on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

“We have decided to start with providing mattresses, bedsheets and covers so that patients will be able to have a comfortable stay at the facility. Besides that, we shall also provide safe delivery kits and sponsor mothers to be able to deliver at the health facility,” Ssebwana said.

According to Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR), Uganda is losing up to 189 mothers out of every 100,000 deliveries.

To improve the quality of care, Geoffrey Ochieng hailed Rotarians for their generosity and for supporting people they hardly know.

“These poor mothers in hard-to-reach areas need your support.  When you lose a mother, you have lost a country. In the past, we were supported by USAID, but that money is over. I thank you for supporting vulnerable pregnant women you don’t know very well in the village.” Ochieng commended Rotarians.

During the induction of new members, the district Governor, Christine Kyeyune, commended Rotarians for the excellent performance that they have had in the 100 days of service, noting that they have nearly hit more than half year's target in most of their goals.

“This year, we are going to work towards being united, and I saw the unity in the 100 days. Let us continue working together as we fulfil our goal of being together, doing things together one at a time.” Kyeyune concluded.