Belgium funds health infrastructure upgrades in Busoga region

The Kingdom of Belgium and its development agency, Enabel, are funding a Shs6.5 billion infrastructure project to upgrade eight health facilities in the Busoga region of Uganda.

The initiative, known as WeCare, Caring for Mothers’ Lives, works with the Ugandan Ministry of Health to renovate and expand maternity wards, operating theatres, and neonatal care units. The project targets facilities in Jinja City, Jinja District, and Kamuli District to improve maternal and newborn healthcare services.

The investment addresses severe infrastructure gaps in areas that recorded over 10,700 institutional deliveries in 2024. In Jinja City, the project includes new maternity and antenatal care blocks at Budondo and Walukuba Health Centre IV, and improvements to the neonatal intensive care unit and oxygen piping at Bugembe Health Centre IV.

In Jinja District, Buwenge General Hospital will receive a maternity block extension, while Buwenge Health Centre IV will see an expanded maternal and child health block with solar-powered hot water and laundry facilities. In Kamuli District, the project will renovate theatres at Namwendwa and Nankandulo health centres. Enabel programme manager William Mubiru stated that the upgrades include alternative power sources like generators and solar systems to ensure continuous service.

However, Mubiru warned that the buildings will not improve healthcare delivery unless the government addresses staffing shortages and upgrades the electricity supply to three-phase power. Local officials and health administrators also called for more medical staff and staff quarters to ensure the new facilities can provide 24-hour care.