NTUNGAMO – Brenda Kwarisiima, a mother and resident of Rubaare in Ntungamo District, recalls the anxiety of seeking maternal care at an overstretched health facility. With limited beds, few delivery rooms, and long queues of expectant mothers, access to quality care often felt like a gamble.
“For years, we had to wait for hours or be referred elsewhere, because the facility could not handle the large numbers. As a result, we were often forced to seek health services as far as Itojo Hospital, which was very expensive for rural people like us who survive hand to mouth,” she says.
Brenda’s experience reflects a broader challenge in Ntungamo District, which spans over 2,056 square kilometers and serves a population of more than 500,000 people. At Rubaare Health Centre IV, inadequate infrastructure and equipment have long contributed to high-risk deliveries and immense pressure on the few available health workers.
Naome Kabasharira, the area Member of Parliament, said the situation has not only strained the local healthcare system, but also put mothers and newborns at risk, with preventable complications often arising from delays and limited resources.
A Timely, High-Impact Intervention
However, a new intervention is beginning to change this reality.
Stanbic Bank Uganda has donated medical equipment worth UGX 20 million to support the newly constructed Mama Kariisa Maternity Ward Project at Rubaare Health Centre IV. The donation includes eight modern patient beds, two delivery beds, and 100 mama kits aimed at improving safe childbirth and postpartum care.
The maternity ward was constructed in memory of the late Hasiinah Kariisa, mother of businessman and Rotarian Kin Kariisa, as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare in underserved communities.
Government Commends Private Sector Support
Presiding over the handover as Guest of Honor, the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), Hanifa Kawooya, lauded the initiative. Delivering a message on behalf of the Ministry, she emphasized that such investments in maternal health infrastructure are critical to reducing preventable deaths and improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
“I commend the Kariisa family, Stanbic Bank, and the Rotary Club of Kigo for this noble gesture,” Kawooya said. She said the government is committed to supporting the facility and will prioritize installation of an operating theatre to complement existing services.
Driving National Growth and Community Dignity
Speaking on behalf of the bank, the Manager for Corporate Social Investment, Diana Ondoga, said the initiative aligns with the bank’s mission to support national development.
“Uganda is our home, and we are committed to driving its growth. Supporting maternal health is one of the most impactful ways we can invest in the future of our communities,” Ondoga said.
She said the intervention falls under the bank’s Positive Impact Agenda, which focuses on job creation, infrastructure development, financial inclusion, climate resilience, and corporate philanthropy.
Since 2021, Stanbic Bank has donated over 23,000 mama kits and crucial medical supplies to 85 health facilities across Uganda. These include Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Rukoki Hospital in Kasese, Nyantambooma Health Centre IV in Kabarole, Adjumani Hospital, Mpuugwe Health Center in Masaka, Gombe Hospital in Mpigi, Apoi Health Centre III in Apac District among others.
“Our work in here in Ntungamo and beyond also aligns with global development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals on Good Health and Well-being, Gender Equality, and Partnerships for the Goals,” Adrine Bright Twesigye the Stanbic Bank Ntungamo branch manager said.
Kin Kariisa expressed gratitude to Stanbic Bank and Rotary for supporting a project close to his heart.
“This maternity ward is deeply personal to me. It represents not just a tribute to my mother, but a commitment to ensuring that mothers in rural Uganda have access to dignified and safe healthcare services,” he said.
Emmanuel Katongole, a prominent Rotarian and business leader, spoke of the importance of partnerships in addressing community challenges. He said improving maternal health remains a top priority for the Rotary Club movement.
A Brighter Future for Rubaare
District health officials said the upgraded facility is expected to ease congestion, improve service delivery, and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the area.
For mothers like Brenda, the changes bring renewed hope. “Now we can come here and feel safe. Everything inside the building is very new, and it gives us confidence that both mothers and babies will be cared for properly,” she said.
