Construction works to upgrade five public health facilities in Nabilatuk District under the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Programme (KIDP) have reached 70 per cent completion, with the contractor under pressure to deliver the project before the contract deadline later this month.
The 18-month project, funded by the Italian Government at a cost of approximately 3.1 billion Shillings, was awarded to Rhino Agencies United Limited. The contractor is expected to hand over the completed facilities by 28 July 2026.07.The project is aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the Karamoja sub-region by expanding access to outpatient services, improving maternal healthcare, and providing better accommodation for health workers.
The works include the construction of an outpatient department (OPD) block at Lolachat Health Centre III, a staff house at Lorengedwat Health Centre III, a modern operating theatre at Nabilatuk Health Centre IV, an OPD block and four-stance pit latrines at Natirae Health Centre II, as well as a staff house, OPD block and sanitary facilities at Nayonai-Angikalio Health Centre III.
During a joint inspection of the sites, Moses Kakumba, a Senior Quantity Surveyor at the Ministry of Health, urged the contractor to accelerate the remaining works to ensure timely completion. Kakumba noted that payments for completed work had already been made and stressed that there should be no further delays.
He added that the Ministry is already planning to equip the new theatre at Nabilatuk Health Centre IV and called on the contractor to complete the structure quickly to allow for timely installation of medical equipment.Jane Frances Nankabirwa, also from the Ministry of Health, directed the contractor to submit samples of all finishing materials for approval before installation.
She further called for improved workmanship across all sites to ensure the facilities meet the required quality standards.Charles Kalungi, Assistant Architect on the project, instructed the contractor to strictly adhere to the approved architectural drawings and rectify outstanding defects identified during the inspection.
Among the issues raised were the correction of electrical socket positions in all OPDs, provision of space for blackboards, improvement of wheelchair ramps, construction of additional walls in waiting areas, installation of rear access steps, landscaping through tree planting, and submission of tile samples and other finishing materials for approval.
Speaking on behalf of the district, the Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Timothy Koryang, commended the contractor for the quality of work achieved so far but challenged the construction team to deploy additional manpower and ensure all required materials are delivered to the sites to avoid delays.He reaffirmed the district’s commitment to improving healthcare services, noting that the local government plans to recruit more health workers once the upgraded facilities become operational.
Addressing stakeholders during the inspection, the contractor reported that physical progress across all five project sites had reached 70 per cent and that the project had now entered the finishing stage.
Once completed, the upgraded health facilities are expected to significantly improve access to quality healthcare services across Nabilatuk District by reducing congestion at Nabilatuk Health Centre IV, expanding outpatient and maternal health services, and improving staff accommodation to attract and retain health workers in the district. URN