By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 19, 2026
MITOOMA, Uganda — Difficult terrain and a washed-away bridge have been cited among the factors delaying construction of two health facilities in Mitooma District.
The affected projects are Bitereko Health Centre III and Kigyende Health Centre III, where construction works have been disrupted by difficulties accessing the sites.
Lt. Vincent Ongaba, the site engineer, said the access challenges had affected construction and that work would resume after the bridge providing access to the construction sites is restored.
Ongaba said the engineering team expects to make significant progress within six months after remobilisation.
UPDF Engineers Assess Projects
The projects were inspected on Thursday by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who said UPDF engineers had assessed the facilities and committed to resuming construction the following week.
“I am happy that they have come to assess the projects and have told me they will start work next week so that they can be completed,” Tayebwa said.
Col. Fulgence Miyaga, chairman of the Construction Committee of the UPDF Administration and Civil Engineers Brigade, said the team was inspecting construction projects across the country to assess their progress and report its findings to strategic headquarters.
Tayebwa said he preferred the UPDF Engineering Brigade to continue working on the projects, citing its experience in delivering infrastructure.
Projects Face Extended Timeline
Bitereko Health Centre III and Kigyende Health Centre III are intended to expand access to healthcare services for communities in Mitooma District.
Kigyende Health Centre III is being upgraded from a Health Centre II.
The projects were initially expected to be completed within six months, but the implementation period was later extended to 12 months.
With the UPDF engineering team expected to return to the sites, authorities hope construction can resume and the delays addressed.