BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
Residents of Bulembia Division in Kasese Municipality have asked their leaders seeking re-election on the different positions to explain to them why Kilembe Mines Hospital has been dissolved and subsequently replaced with Rukoki.
The demand for an explanation emanated during a joint rally for the NRM candidates seeking support from the members so that they hold the party flags for the positions of Member of Parliament, Mayor, Municipal and Division Councilors that was held at Kyanzuki and Katiri Trading Centres respectively.
The residents’ demand started as soon as their two incumbent leaders including Ferigo Kambale, the area Member of Parliament and Sylvia Agaba Kabugho, the District Councilor representing Bulembia and Central Divisions who are both seeking re-election told them that the facility would be rehabilitated.
The duo restored hope of the community members that the facility had not been dissolved because it is expected to be reconstructed by the new mining company.
For Agaba, the facility was still operational because it was still offering the same services as before. Agaba had noted that the facility was still operational since the services were being offered.
On his part, Kambale had said the people in the area were grappling with the lack of access to healthcare services. He, however, indicated that Kilembe Mines Hospital would be reinstated when Kilembe Mines becomes fully operational as per the requirement by the mining company.
But Ms Phebryn Nyaboosi who seeks to unseat Agaba said it was unfortunate that the facility shifted in the face of the leaders that she described as unfit to represent the local population.
Mr. Robert Mbusa Kisunzu, the area District Councilor is among those criticizing the leaders for not working towards defending the facility at the parliamentary level.
A section of residents disagreed with the speakers, arguing that facility was not existing but they talked about it to win the people’s mandate.
Mr. Jackson Muhindo Mughisa and Venesio Amidu Ngununu noted that they were demanding for proper answers from the leaders to ascertain if the health facility was still functional even when health workers and the equipment had been withdrawn.
ENDS