Thousands benefit from Mbarara Archdiocese medical camp

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MBARARA CITY - Thousands of residents have turned up for free medical service at AMDA Caravan medical camp held at Maryhill High School in Mbarara City in the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

The one-day medical organised by Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) was officially flagged off today (Saturday) by His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese.

The services offered at the medical camp included cleft lip and palate surgeries, cardiology services, screening and treatment for congenital and acquired heart diseases, eye care with cataract surgery, cervical cancer and breast cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, among others.

The medical camp is part of this year’s Caravan activities, which will end tomorrow (Sunday, August 31, 2025) with a high mass to be held at Nyamitanga, headquarters of Mbarara Archdiocese.

The 2025 AMDA medical camp targeted parishioners and surrounding communities in Nyamitanga (Cathedral parish) and St John the Baptist Parish, Kibona and Mbarara district and others from different districts under the Mbarara Archdiocese.

The Mbarara Archdiocese Archbishop, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, being taken through at the AMDA Caravan medical camp which attracted people of all ages at Maryhill High School in Mbarara City. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

In his opening remarks, Archbishop Bainomugisha hailed AMDA members for their big heart to support humanity, especially by giving back to the communities where they came from.

 “Thank you for loving humanity,” he stated. The archbishop was happy to note that the camp treated people of all colours, tribes and religions.

In his speech, Christopher Gumisiriza, the chairman AMDA, said the camp attracted over 10,000 from the archdiocese and around.

He explained that they organised the camp after identifying gaps within the existing health system, and they came up with specialists to fill them.

Over 500 medical specialists offered health services at the camp.

Gumisiriza said they spent over sh206 million, which facilitated the treatment, including purchasing medicines that were given to patients free of charge.

Dr Rosemary Byanyima, the Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, encouraged people to always seek early medical check-ups in the existing health facilities.

Leaders speak out

Gaffa Mbwatekamwa, MP Igara West, said the bigger numbers that turned up portray that almost all health facilities need serious attention to help the communities.

Thousands of residents turned up for free medical service at AMDA Caravan medical camp held at Maryhill High School in Mbarara City in the Archdiocese of Mbarara. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Bonny Kashaija Mutungi, a member of AMDA and aspiring Woman MP Mbarara City, encouraged parliament to prioritise the health sector when appropriating funds.

Francis Mwijukye said the big turnout is a sign that the government has not yet done much in the health sector. “We don’t need 15 health centres in the district, we need one well-equipped health facility in the district where people can go and find health services,” Mwijukye stated.

Erivayida Tumuhirwe from Buhweju, Ronah Aturinde from Bushenyi and other patients who benefited from the medical camp thanked AMDA for investing in the health of Ugandans.

AMDA is an umbrella association uniting all Catholics that hail from Mbarara Archdiocese living in Kampala and surrounding areas, including Entebbe, Mukono, Wakiso and Jinja.