Rotarians fund sh295m sanitation upgrade for Wakiso health centres

WAKISO - The Rotary Clubs of Entebbe, Kyengera, Nkumba, Garuga and Bwebajja have donated improved water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to three health centres in Wakiso district. 

The facilities, worth $81,649 US dollars (about sh295 million), were handed over to the Ministry of Health on behalf of Kajjansi Health Centre IV, Bussi Health Centre III and Busawamanze Health Centre III during a ceremony held on Friday evening at Kajjansi Health Centre IV in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso district.

Presiding over the event, Asan Kasingye, president of the Rotary Club of Entebbe, said the commissioned project has been running since July 2025 with the aim of improving access to safe, clean and adequate potable water at the three health centres. 

He noted that the project also sought to enhance sanitation by installing missing facilities such as handwash basins, toilets and bathrooms at points of care, particularly the labour wards, children’s wards and maternity wards.

The project was implemented by Gali Water Company. Eng Hilary Galiwango, speaking on behalf of the contractor, said each health facility received a four-metre raised water tank with a storage capacity of 10,000 litres to improve supply and storage. 

Galiwango added that Kajjansi and Busawamanze had lacked waste-management systems, prompting the installation of incinerators with ash pits.

Pure drinking-water storage units and hand-washing facilities were also installed at all three health centres.

Galiwango further explained that the rainwater tank at Bussi Health Centre has been fitted with a solar pump, while the existing borehole at Busawamanze has been automated to pump directly into the tank.

Rotarians toasting to the safe drinking water donated to Kajjansi health centre IV during their visit to the facility on Friday. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Staff at all three facilities also received personal protective equipment.

Betty Nabuganda, the assistant district health officer for Wakiso district, urged staff at the beneficiary health centres to use the new facilities and equipment responsibly.

Peace Taremwa, the district Rotary foundation chairperson representing the district governor, praised the clubs for pooling their efforts towards providing improved hygiene and sanitation facilities.

Dr Richard Mugahi, the commissioner for reproductive health, representing director-general of health services Dr Charles Olaro, thanked the Rotary Clubs for what he described as their unwavering support to Uganda’s health-care system, ranging from trans-cycle village ambulances to sanitation improvements. 

Olaro noted that Rotary has also played a crucial role in global polio elimination.

On behalf of the Ministry of Health, he pledged to fast-track the upgrade of health facilities such as Kajjansi Health Centre IV into community hospitals with additional staff, medical equipment and medicines, acknowledging that such progress is made possible through partnerships with organisations like Rotary.