MICHAEL N
Leaders in Ntungamo District have praised the UPDF Engineering Brigade for the quality construction works done at Itojo General Hospital and Rubaare Health Center 4.
The works done at Itojo General Hospital included renovation of both female and male wards, the theatre, the newly born babies’ ward, and at a maternity ward at Rubaare Health Centre 4, according to Kiza Fedelis, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ntungamo.
Kiza Fedelis praised the quality of works being done at the two health facilities. He says most local contractors delay in the completion of their duties and some works are substandard compared to those done by the UPDF Engineering Brigade. He, however, stressed that the UPDF Engineering Brigade first requires most of its contract money to be deposited into its account before starting any construction works, unlike private local contractors who start their works as the government pays them in installments.
Chrispus Mwesigwa Mwesigye, the LC5 councilor representing Rubaare Town Council, stressed that the UPDF Engineering Brigade is performing quality works at Rubaare Health Centre 4, involving the construction of a new maternity ward despite delays in completing its works. He says this is the first construction site done by the UPDF in Rushenyi Constituency and the works are of high quality compared to those done by local contractors.
Itojo Sub-county LC5 councilor Denis Muhumuza, commonly known as Gen Savimbi, stressed that the UPDF Engineering Brigade performs its works following the BOQs given, unlike local contractors who use ratios that are not specific to make a building last for a long period.
Speaking to Alfred Nabaasa, a civil engineer under the Ministry of Health who is the site supervisor for the works done at Itojo General Hospital, praised the works being done despite the delays, which he attributed to heavy rains that disrupted external works at the hospital, like painting and putting on new roofing. Engineer Alfred says the second phase shall include renovation of all floors at Itojo Hospital and also the mortuary room.
The works being done at Itojo General Hospital are facilitated by the Ministry of Health, which incurs all the costs of renovation, though the district department has authority to supervise and monitor the works being done by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
