The Zombo District Health department has appealed to the district leadership and area Members of Parliament to prioritize advocacy for the extension of the national grid electricity supply to the newly commissioned Amwonyu Health Centre III in Akaa Sub-County, in order to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

Speaking during the recent commissioning of the facility, District Health Officer Dr. Mark Bramali emphasized that, although a solar power system has been installed, the facility requires a reliable and sustainable mains electricity connection as a permanent solution.

“My humble appeal is to our district leadership and also our area member of parliament. We have now the national grid, which is sitting right in the land of the health center. Can we light it?, It is one of the light that is just waiting for a transformer, and it can actually be lit so that we begin getting alternative source of power which is more stable and only use the solar when the Wenreco is off” Dr Bramali shared.

The newly upgraded and operational Health Centre III, gazetted effective 1 July 2025, is now fully equipped to deliver the Uganda Minimum Health Care Package, including basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, inpatient services, outpatient consultations, comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care, immunisation, family planning, HIV/TB management, minor surgical procedures, and basic laboratory and diagnostic services to the predominantly agrarian community along the Uganda – DR Congo border.

According to Dr. Bramali, when the facility was constructed, they were given a solar system which was fully fledged to maintain even the equipment, however, they have had challenges of lightning.

“Lightning, I think, has been disturbing this solar system. The first disorganization was the short circuit that was caused to the inverter. We came and replaced it. After the replacement, again we were hit by lightning” He said, adding that they earmarked 2.7 million shillings to replace that charge controller as an urgent modality of addressing the power issue.

The newly Commissioned Amwonyu Health Center III facility in Aka Sub County, Zombo District.

The district health department, expressed optimism with the electricity poles already erected within the health facility compound, the possibility of grid connection technically will be feasible and cost-effective.

Recently, government commissioned the 6.6 mw Nyagak III hydro power plant in Zombo district and some stakeholders argue that the issue of power to such facilitiy should be prioritized.

Constructed at a cost of UGX 2.6 billion under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Program, Amwonyu HC III has been designated one of only seven national model Health Centre IIIs in Uganda and one of two in the West Nile sub-region. 

Ora County Member of Parliament, Hon. Songa Biyika Lawrence, acknowledged the critical need for electricity connectivity and committed to escalating the matter to the relevant ministries for appropriate action.

“The issue of electricity is so urgent, I will ensure this issue reach relevant authorities “ Songa said, assuring of his commitment to ensure the expansive facility gets the electricity for its smooth operationalization.

Construction of Amwonyu health facility was executed in two phases: Phase I delivered the maternity and general ward at UGX 960 million plus UGX 205 million in specialised obstetric equipment; Phase II (FY 2024/2025) covered the OPD, staff housing and fencing at UGX 1.2 billion, supplemented by UGX 200 million in diagnostic and clinical equipment.

Meanwhile the Assistant RDC of Zombo Bruno Mananu commended government for the initiative, urging locals in the area to prioritize their health.

Following the upgrade, annual essential medicines and health supplies allocation has increased from UGX 14.07 million to UGX 40.09 million. Human resources for health have risen from two to sixteen personnel, achieving 96% of the previous staffing norm, with a structured roadmap to attain the revised Ministry of Health target of 55 health workers by 2031 in line with National Development Plan IV.

During the commissioning ceremony attended by jubilant residents , District Health Department confirmed that all new equipment has been delivered, adding that Minor defects identified are within the defects liability period and will be rectified at no extra cost.

Community leaders commended residents for exemplary cooperation during construction, with zero incidents of theft or disputes recorded, meanwhile Mothers described the facility as a transformative intervention that will significantly reduce maternal and perinatal mortality by ensuring skilled birth attendance and timely emergency obstetric care within the sub-county.

The district experiences an influx of patients in its health facilities, most of which are located in the lower local government units situated along the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border. With the commissioning of Amwonyu HC III, Zombo District now operates close to 17 public health facilities, providing essential health services to a catchment population exceeding 300,000 people.

Last year, the district also commissioned Otheko Health Centre III, which has bridged the healthcare gap for the over-20,000-person rural and predominantly agrarian community of Paidha Sub-County.

Zombo's D.H.O Dr. mark Bramali said the facility requires a reliable and sustainable mains electricity connection as a permanent solution.

The commissioning of Amwonyu Health Centre III marks a critical milestone towards achieving universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3 in Zombo District.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub.