How Bundibugyo hospital X-ray crisis, power failure led to infant deaths
The revelation was made by Josephine Bebona, the District Woman Representative for Bundibugyo, during the February 20, 2025, plenary sitting of Parliament.
- Residents of Bundibugyo have been left angry and disappointed after two infants died at Bundibugyo General Hospital due to a generator failure. The hospital, which has been operating for seven years without a functional X-ray machine, has come under heavy scrutiny following the tragic incident.
The revelation was made by Josephine Bebona, the District Woman Representative for Bundibugyo, during the February 20, 2025, plenary sitting of Parliament. She demanded that the Prime Minister explain when Bundibugyo General Hospital would receive the long-awaited upgrade necessary to improve healthcare services in the district.
“On February 19, 2025 Bundibugyo Hospital lost two babies who were on oxygen because the generator was down. In 2014, the hospital was supposed to be rehabilitated alongside Yumbe and Kayunga under the BADEA project. While the other hospitals were commissioned in 2021, Bundibugyo Hospital has never been rehabilitated. We have now gone seven years without a functional X-ray machine. When will Bundibugyo finally be considered for rehabilitation?” Bebona asked.
Gov’t Response
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, drawing from her experience as a former State Minister for Health – General Duties, assured Parliament that Bundibugyo is among the health facilities earmarked for an upgrade. However, she did not specify a timeline for the hospital’s rehabilitation or the procurement of an X-ray machine.
“I was fortunate to serve as Minister of State for Health – General Duties, so I am familiar with these issues. The government is rehabilitating hospitals in a phased manner. We are currently adding Bugiri and Masindi to the list, and Bundibugyo will also be renovated,” Nabbanja stated.
Demand for Firefighting Station
Meanwhile, Richard Gafabusa, the MP for Bwamba County, urged the Prime Minister to establish a firefighting station in Bundibugyo. He cited a worrying trend of mysterious school fires in the district, with eight schools affected within a year. The absence of a nearby firefighting station, he argued, has worsened the damage caused by these fires.
“Bundibugyo is in fear. In just one week, two schools have been burned. Last week, Nyahuka Parents Secondary School was set ablaze in broad daylight. Yesterday, another fire destroyed property worth millions at a primary school. In the past year alone, we have seen eight school fires—most of them in the same town council, Nyahuka,” Gafabusa reported.
He further emphasized the urgent need for government intervention:
“We need the government to investigate the cause of these fires. We also lack firefighting equipment in our district. The nearest firefighting station is in Fort Portal, which is at least two and a half hours away. By the time the fire brigade arrives, there is nothing left to save. Our police officers try to respond, but they are incapacitated. Can the government provide Bundibugyo with firefighting equipment given our unique location and terrain?”
In response, Prime Minister Nabbanja urged Gafabusa to submit a formal request to her office. She pledged to convene a multi-sectoral meeting with relevant ministries and Bundibugyo district officials to address the issue.
“This requires a coordinated approach. I will request the MP to put this in writing so that I can convene a meeting next week with officials from the Ministry of Education for safety measures, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Bundibugyo district leaders,” Nabbanja assured.
