Jinja hospital refutes denying former MP oxygen

Jan 29, 2018

In a press statement, Nkurunziza said Owagage was brought at the hospital on January 17, but was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctor who was on duty.

PIC: Dr Edward Nkurunziza, the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital director speaking to New Vision (Jackie Nambogga)

JINJA - The Jinja Regional Referral Hospital’s director, Dr Edward Nkurunziza, has refuted claims that the hospital declined to put former Jinja district Woman MP, which resulted in her death.

According to Nkurunziza, the late Ruth Alinyikira Owagage was taken at the facility when she was already dead.

In a press statement, Nkurunziza said Owagage was brought at the hospital on January 17, but was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctor who was on duty.

 The statement goes on to say: “It has been circulating on social media that Owagage (pictured left) died in Jinja Hospital because of lack of oxygen.”

Nkurunziza explained that the hospital has a plant that manufactures oxygen and, therefore, this was no longer the hospital’s challenge.

“Since the oxygen plant was commissioned mid last year, we have never run short of supply,” Nkurunziza said.

Owagage, who at the time of her death, was working with the Uganda Land Commission, where she had served for the last 10 years, was hailed by President Yoweri Museveni for attracting foreign investors.

Museveni said Owagage attracted foreign investors as she was key in identifying government land and recommending it for investment.

He said this resulted in the creation of jobs, leading to steady increase in GDP and government revenues.

The President contributed sh30m towards Owagage’s burial and sent a condolence message, which was read by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga during her (Owagage’s) send off at Mutai Buwenge rural sub-county in Jinja district on Saturday.

Museveni described Owagage as a professional secondary school teacher and strong campaigner, who promoted the girl-child education.

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});