BOU hands over 400m 'Mutebile Maternity block' in Kabale

By Moses Agaba

Kabale

The Bank of Uganda has handed over a Ugx 400m maternity ward named Mutebile Maternity Block constructed at Rubaya Health Centre IV, Ndorwa County West Kabale District that was constructed in memory of the former and deceased Bank Of Uganda Governor, Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile.

Susan Kanyemibwa the Board Secretary for the Bank of Uganda explained that revamping health facilities is part of the Bank of Uganda’s overall CSR programs, under the theme “Maternal and Child Health Care for a Healthy Society.” The proceeds that support these initiatives were raised under the 50th Anniversary Charity Walk held in 2016 and the outreach program has since expanded into nine districts of Jinja, Masaka, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Arua, Mbale, Gulu Rubanda, and Kabale where a bank of Uganda has regional currency centers.

She says that with proceeds raised from the 2016 charity walk, the Bank of Uganda has completed works on 9 Health Centres, namely, Bwizibwera Health Centre IV in Mbarara District, Ayivuni Health Centre III in Arua District, Nakaloke Health Centre III in Mbale District Omel Health Centre II in Gulu District, Hamurwa Health Center IV IN Rubanda District, Budondo Health Centre IV, Kyanamukaka Health Centre IV, Rutete Health Centre III, and Rubaya Health Centre IV as they have all been handed over to the respective district officials.

She further revealed plans of revamping and retooling Kigorobya Health Centre IV in Hoima District, Rwoburunga Health Centre III in Mitooma District, and Magoro Health Centre III in Katakwi District in the third phase.

Michael Atingi-Ego the Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda said that the Bank embarked on this project alongside the Kabale District administration under the leadership of the dearly departed gallant governor, the Late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile whom he said was a devoted humanitarian as he embodied, exemplified, and lavished that sense of Ubuntu on everyone who interacted fruitfully with him, especially the less fortunate among us It was, therefore, befitting that the new maternity block is named in his memory as it is to keep symbolizes his enduring legacy of service to humanity.

He said that the Bank of Uganda is to keep promoting maternal, newborn, and child health care under corporate social responsibility to sustain its contribution to the population’s productivity for increased competitiveness and better quality of life for all and He challenged the Kabale district leadership to extend financial literacy and sensitize all the people about producing a surplus beyond their household needs, which they can sell in the physical and electronic markets.

“The BOU is available to work with the district leaders on extending financial literacy to every household”. Said Atingi-Ego.

Also in attendance was the family of Prof Mutebile led by his wife Betty Kyakyo Mutebile and Major General Timothy Sabiti Mutebile the young Brother to Prof Mutebile as the family thanked bank of Uganda for fulfilling the dream of their elder brother and finishing the construction of Rubaya health center IV as my late Brother was a promoter of maternal health having lost his mother while he was 5 years while she was delivering our young brother.

Together with distinguished leaders at the ceremony and Mrs. Betty Tumusiime-Mutebile, the Deputy Governor planted a memorial tree and said the Bank shall promote the planting of various other trees for flowers, shade, fruit, and hedge at the Rubaya Facility.

Nelson Nshangabasheija the Kabale LC5 Boss says that the Bank Of Uganda project was lobbied by the Former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda through the then Bank of Uganda Governor Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, in 2019. David Bahati the Minister of state for trade, industry, and cooperatives (industry) s who was the guest of honor commended the Bank of Uganda for supporting efforts to strengthen the healthcare system in the country mostly maternal health.

Bahati says that he is an advocate of maternal health because he lost his mother at the age of 3 years while she was delivering his young brother. “I’m grateful to the central bank for the support No woman should die while giving life”. Said Bahati.

He said that the NRM government has put a lot of effort into reducing the infant and maternal mortality rate among children and mothers through good government programs like immunization.

Bahati says that health care in Ndorwa west has drastically improved as of the 7 sub counties and Town councils it’s only one sub-county that is yet to get a health center III and the government has plans of establishing health center IVs at every constituency.

Bahati added that the government has already secured $150m to tarmac the road from Katuna to Muko in Rubanda District at $70m from Kabale town at Rwakaraba to lake Bunyonyi Rubaya health center IV receives 76 expectant mothers Monthly and out of these 47 delivers properly and 12 get operated.