Kadaga praises fearless legislators

By Fred Turyakira

THE Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has praised fearless and outspoken legislators in the ninth parliament for fighting for the interests of the population, saying such leaders have an impact in checking government to improve on service delivery.

She called upon electorates to pick strong leaders who will withstand the pressure and fight for the interests of the population. 

“As a speaker, the challenge of parliament stands between the desires of the state and the interests of the population. We’ve been having those battles but won them because of having strong legislators but we need your support and prayers,” she said.

Kadaga explained that during 2012 financial year, legislators refused to pass the budget because government failed to respond to a recommendation to increase the salary of the medics, increase number of the medics and lift the ban on recruitment. 

“For over five years, we have been making a recommendation every year to increase the salary of the medics, and welfare of the medics but government could not listen. They wanted us to pass the budget without increase on health funds but we refused until it was done and am happy there are medical workers in health facilities,” she added.

Kadaga was at Kinoni Health Centre IV in Rwampara County in Mbarara district on Wednesday where thousands of patients thronged the centre for free treatment. She also launched vaccination of babies against the killer diseases.

Patients received services in Cancer screening, HIV/AIDS testing, safe male circumcision, Diabetes, skin diseases, mental health, malaria, eye and dental treatment among others.

The three-day free treatment camp was organized by pioneers Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in partnership with Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP) Mbarara to commemorate 25 years of existence.

Dr, George Upenytho, the director of Mbarara regional referral hospital who represented MUST, said they took services to Kinoni because it is where the students were offered to operate from when the University started in 1989.

MPs, Vincent Mujuni Kyamadidi, (Rwampara), Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo (Mbarara Municipality) and Emma Boona (Mbarara woman), called upon the public to seek and receive medical services in health centres to enable them support and improve on the development of their families.

Dr. Bitekyerezo cautioned students against being persuaded by married old men to have sex with them, noting that men want to kill their careers by infecting them with HIV/AIDS.

“The level at which HIV is being spread in Uganda is alarming, 380 people are infected with HIV every day. There is a need for intervention because old men are finishing our girls in schools,” he said.

Kyamadidi criticized staff at Kinoni health centre for part timing in their private clinics, leaving the facility without medical staff to attend to patients.

“I have got information that health workers abandon the work to do part timing. They only come here every Tuesday to treat and go back. Who tells you that diseases make appointments? You must improve and change on your attitude,” he warned.

Deus Tumusiime Omuteganda, the Mbarara district chairperson, asked the government to construct staff houses for Kinoni health centre and also look for funds to fence the health facility.

Enock Barigye, the chairperson management committee, said they have the challenge of lack of staff housing, noting that only 10 staff out of 37 stay at the health centre which affects service delivery.

Nickson Kabuye, the Mbarara resident district commissioner, called for the need to equip health centre III’s and IV’s with medical supplies and staff to reduce on the congestion of patients at regional referral hospitals especially Mbarara which receives many cases which are supposed to be handled at the health centre IV.

Kadaga, the first council chairperson for MUST, hailed President Yoweri Museveni for defying people who were against the establishment of a second public university and started MUST which has produced many doctors and professors among other professionals.

MUST will celebrate 25 years of existence on October 29 at Kuhumuru campus.