By: Ismael Kasooha
HOIMA
President Yoweri Museveni has fulfilled his pledge of sh300m towards the construction of St. Mary’s Children and Women specialized Hospital Hoima being undertaken by Hoima Catholic Diocese.
In the month of June 2022, President Yoweri Museveni, represented by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, pledged 300m towards the construction of the hospital during a fundraising function held at Rwenkobe village, Hoima City.
In his remarks during the fundraising Museveni welcomed the construction of the facility and commended Hoima Catholic Diocese for initiating the idea.
While delivering the money, the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja lauded the President for his commitment and dedication to develop Bunyoro sub region and the country as a whole.
The money was handed over to Rev. Fr. James Aliomu, the treasurer of the Diocese after holy mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Bujumbura Cathedral on Sunday in Hoima.
“I want you people to join me to thank the President for the love he has for Bunyoro region and the country in general. We have good roads everywhere, now the ball is in our hands to increase on household incomes. This can be achieved by embracing government programmes aimed at socio-economic transformation,” said Nabbanja.
The Premier hailed the Catholic Church for its supplementary role in service delivery to the country.
Mary Grace Mugasa, the State Minister for Public Service said that Bunyoro now has no excuse not to develop because government has put in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate development.
“We have no excuse as to why our people can remain entangled in poverty because the NRM government has put in place all the necessary infrastructure for both businesses and commercial agriculture to flourish,” said Mugasa.
The Minister of State in charge Transport, Fred Byamukama appealed to the people of Bunyoro to invest in agriculture as a business because money is now in farming.
The multi-billion St Mary’s Children and Women specialized hospital is located at Bujumbura hill in Hoima City West division, on a 7-acre piece of land belonging to the Diocese.
Hoima Catholic Diocese is hunting for Shillings 40Billion for the construction of a specialized hospital to boost healthcare services in the Diocese and outside Bunyoro sub-region.
Upon completion, the facility will comprise specialized pediatric, antenatal, gynecology, emergency, radiology, physiotherapy, and theater wings. The facility will have a capacity of 272 beds.
Rev. Fr. Davis Musiime Mugisa, the Coordinator of the project said that following the influx of thousands of people into the Bunyoro sub-region in anticipation of employment in the crucial oil and gas sector, there is a need to establish more health facilities to offer specialized treatment to the growing population.
The construction of the five-storied facility will be in phases lasting for seven years.
The Diocese of Hoima, whose evangelization was spearheaded by the Missionaries of Africa, started on August 9th, 1965.
The Diocese covers the Districts of Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kagadi, Kakumiro and Hoima City.
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