By Aggrey Twesigye
Mbarara City Council has launched the construction of health and education infrastructure projects worth more than UGX 834 million aimed at improving service delivery in schools and health facilities.
The projects include the construction of a semi-detached junior staff house at Biharwe Nyabuhama Health Centre III, six units of staff quarters at Kamatarisi Primary School valued at UGX 187 million, and a modern stance pit latrine at Biharwe Moslem Primary School worth UGX 28 million, all located in Mbarara City North Division.
In Mbarara City South Division, authorities also launched the construction of six units of staff quarters at Nyamitanga Health Centre III valued at UGX 169 million.
The projects were officially launched by the Deputy and Assistant Resident City Commissioners of the respective divisions.
While launching the projects in Mbarara City North Division, Samuel Muganda warned contractors against shoddy work, saying substandard projects would not be tolerated.
He also urged parents and community members to closely monitor the projects to ensure value for money.
Meanwhile, William Karega said lack of staff accommodation has contributed to absenteeism and delayed reporting among health workers.
Nathan Suuna welcomed the development, saying the new staff houses will improve efficiency at the facility, which handles between 800 and 1,000 patients, most suffering from malaria and cough-related illnesses.
Mbarara City Senior Education Officer Ezra Atuhairwe said the projects are the last to be implemented under the 2025/2026 financial year and are expected to improve school performance and sanitation.
A parent at Biharwe Moslem Primary School, Hadija Kyomuhendo, said the new girls’ pit latrine will greatly improve hygiene and sanitation at the school.
Deputy RCC for Mbarara City South Division Gerrard Tukamuhebwa urged government workers to avoid absenteeism and ensure proper supervision of the projects to prevent poor-quality work by contractors.
