VANESSA A
Health workers in Rukungiri District have called for equal and humane treatment from the public following a recent incident in which a midwife was physically assaulted while on duty.
The call was made by Alex Twekwase, the General Secretary for all nurses and midwives in Rukungiri District and Uganda at large, and Director of Bukiriro Clinic. Twekwase expressed deep frustration over what he termed as increasing cases of brutality against health workers. His remarks follow the assault of Nshemelirwe Caroline, a midwife at Bugangari Health Centre IV.
Twekwase condemned the act, emphasizing that health workers are human beings who deserve respect as they tirelessly work to save lives. He noted that the number of health personnel in Rukungiri remains low and urged the public not to demoralize the few who are available, as this could affect service delivery. He also appealed to the government to increase staffing in the district’s health facilities.
“…health workers are also human beings who sacrifice a lot every day. We should not be mistreated or traumatized to the point of hating our jobs because whatever happens during treatment is never intentional…”
Meanwhile, the victim, Caroline Nshemelirwe, a resident of Ruhiira Cell in Kazindiro Parish, narrated that the incident occurred on Thursday, 20th November 2025 at around 9:40am. She said she was transferring a patient from the theatre to the maternity ward when a man identified as Vian Ahimbisibwe suddenly slapped and kicked her, causing her to fall and sustain injuries to her mouth and other parts of her body.
Caroline added that other patients who witnessed the incident intervened and subdued Vian, who was also injured in the process and is currently receiving treatment.
“…he just slapped and kicked me as I was taking the patient to the ward. I fell and got injured in the mouth and other parts. It was very painful and shocking…”
The matter was reported to Bugangari Police Post under file number 08/20/11/2025, although efforts to get a comment from the Officer in Charge were unsuccessful.
