Rukungiri- Rukungiri health center which acts as the district hospital is grappling with the shortage of beds following a surge in the number of patients being admitted at the facility for both maternity and general medical care services.
Reports from the health center indicate that the facility is struggling with an increasing nhttps://pearlnewsug.com/bed-crisis-hits-rukungiri-hc-4/umber of expectant mothers seeking maternity services, with the facility’s 11-bed maternity ward operating beyond capacity.
This situation has forced health workers at this facility to refer some expectant mothers to Bugangari Health Centre IV in Bugangari Sub-county, about 20 kilometers away from Rukungiri town.
According to statistics from this facility about deliveries 721 deliveries were recorded in the 2021/2022 financial year, 752 in 2022/2023, 710 in 2023/2024, 710 in 2024/2025, and 1,003 deliveries in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Antenatal care visits have also risen from 2,870 in 2023/2024 to 3,705 in 2025/2026.Outpatient attendance increased from 19,567 in 2023/2024 to 20,577 in 2025/2026, while admissions rose from 828 to 1,153 over the same period.
Addressing the Rukungiri district and municipal health department heads during their visit to the facility on 30th. June 2026 which aimed at assessing the functionality of the facility , The officer-in-Charge of the facility Dr. Maureen Atwikirize, confirmed the situation saying that the number of patients visiting the facility has significantly increased since the facility started offering surgical services to the public.
‘’ Our facility has a bed capacity of 25 beds including 11 maternity beds. Out of these, four were designated for mothers recovering from Caesarean Section (C-section) operations. All 11 beds in our Maternity ward are currently occupied by mothers who underwent surgery because the facility performed 16 C-sections in one week alone’’. Dr Atwikirize said.
She added that mothers who deliver normally are now being admitted to the general ward due to lack of space and beds in the maternity ward.
‘’ Due to lack of beds in our maternity ward, our staff is working closely with the health staff at Bugangari Health Centre IV by referring mothers whenever the maternity ward becomes full ’’. Dr Atwikirize added.
Dr Atwikirize revealed that during this month of June alone, the facility handled more than 30 Caesarean Section deliveries and over 100 normal deliveries.
‘’ The public should stop blaming or abusing health workers because of referrals. We only make referrals when the facility has no available space for more admissions’’. She added.
The Rukungiri municipal Principal Health Officer, Dr. Davis Ahabwe said ‘’ As the management of the facility has already informed the district health department about this problem and I think they are aware of this issue’’
He however reminded the public that all services offered at Rukungiri Health Centre IV are provided free of charge because they are fully funded by the Government of Uganda.
‘’ The services we offer here are completely free of charge. I therefore ask the public to not to pay any single coin for any service at any facility that belongs to government of Uganda because it is illegal and any health worker who engages in such activities is punishable in the courts of law ’’. Dr Ahabwe said.
He commended the health workers at Rukungiri Health Centre IV for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to serving the community.
‘’ The increasing number of patients at this facility is a clear reflection of public trust and confidence in the quality of services being delivered here. I therefore thank the public for trusting us with their health ’’. Dr Ahabwe noted.
Responding to this crisis the Rukungiri district health officer Dr Akasiima Mucunguzi assured the public that the Government is already addressing the challenge through the ongoing construction of a modern maternity ward extension at Rukungiri Health Centre IV.
‘’ We are aware of this problem as the concerned department but I want to assure the public that very soon this problem will be handled so let people stay calm and patient ’’. Dr Akasiima said.
He emphasized that referrals to Bugangari Health Centre IV should not be misinterpreted adding that they are intended to ensure that mothers continue receiving safe and quality healthcare without delay.
‘’ Because of the bed crisis we agreed with the facility management to start referring expectant mothers to Bugangari health center 4 because it is fully equipped and it has good access. So the public should not misinterpret the move’’. Dr Akasiima added.
About Rukungiri health center 4.
Rukungiri Health Center IV (commonly known as Rwamahwa) is allocated along Rukungiri- Kanungu road opposite Rukungiri TASO breach in Eastern division about 600 meters from Rukungiri municipal headquarters.
The facility is acting as the Rukungiri district hospital after it was agreed upon by the district and municipal top leadership to start upgrading it up to a district hospital in a phased manner in 2019.
