Rotarians embark on a sh700m project to improve maternal health in Nakasongola

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The Nakasongola Health Centre IV operates as the district’s main referral, maternity and emergencies centre, serving well over 200,000 people. But it’s still overstretched, lacks enough beds, staff, and equipment for routine and emergency obstetric/neonatal care.

Many mothers still walk home right after delivery because there aren’t enough beds for postnatal stays.

So, the Rotary Club of Lugogo-Mango Tree, in a partnership with the Rotary Club of Kampala East and the Rotary Club of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth, Maine, US, has embarked on a project to the tune of sh700m to improve and upgrade facilities at the centre.

“We shall equip the maternity wards with safe, functional equipment; expand access to quality maternal health services for women, strengthen capacity for clean, safe deliveries and postnatal care; and reduce neonatal mortality in Nakasongola by 20%,” said the newly installed President of RC  Lugogo-Mango Tree, Jennifer Atwine Mugasha. “This is what lasting impact looks like: measurable, life-saving, and replicable.”

Mugasha was installed as the club’s 10th President (and the first female) at an event held at the  Shell Club, Lugogo, on Saturday. It was a joint installation with the Rotary Club of Kampala Maisha.

In his installation speech, the new President of RC Kampala Maisha, Edmond Owor, pledged to ride on the strong, elaborate and ambitious trajectory the club has built since its inception; maintain and increase the partnerships that the club has worked with, and deliver on the service projects.

Edmund Owor (middle), takes the oath of office as the new President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Maisha, at a joint installation function with the Rotary Club of Lugogo-Mango Tree, held at the Shell Club, Lugogo on Saturday. He was installed by the District 9213 Governor, Geoffrey Kitakule, right, and Past District Governor Kenneth Mugisha, left.

“The first years of RC Kampala-Maisha were a transit point for us,” he said. “The target now is to rebuild numbers at Fellowships, reactivate the Buddy groups, grow the TRF number of givers, and work on increased visibility using social media, club website and media stories.”

RC Lugogo-Mengo Tree and RC Kampala Maisha are both part of the Rotary District 9213, which has Geoffrey Kitakule as Governor. From the year 2027/28, 9213 will be split into two new districts, 9217 and 9218.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.

Rotary connects 1.4 million members of more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.