Korea to inject Shs43b towards healthcare in Busoga
Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, speaks to health workers in Bulamagi Health Centre III, which was refurbished and equipped by KOICA on July 4, 2025. Other officials from KOICA and WHO are looking on. Photo/ Tonny Abet
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Country Director has announced that their government has committed $12 million (Shs43b billion) to address critical healthcare needs in Busoga over the next five years.
Ms Jihee Ahn made the fresh announcement on Friday during the handover of health facilities, which were refurbished and equipped through their $10 million (Shs35.9 billion) project in five districts of Busoga in the last five years.
"This project stands as a testament to the power of strong tripartite collaboration. By strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services—through infrastructure improvements, enhanced water systems, and capacity building—we are investing in the very foundation of public health and equity," she said.
"Through this WHO-led initiative, KOICA has gained crucial insights, especially the identification of persistent blood shortages in the region. This informed the design of a new Blood System Strengthening Project, to be launched later this year, with KOICA investing $12 million over the next five years," she added.
Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, officially received the refurbished and equipped health facilities during a ceremony in Bulamagi HCIII in Iganga on Friday. The project was implemented in collaboration among KOICA, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Ministry of Health as the supervising authority. A total of 28 health facilities in Bugiri, Buyende, Iganga, Kamuli, and Mayuge districts were refurbished and equipped.
Dr Atwine applauded the Korean government and called for good use of the equipment. She said the investment would be essential in addressing high maternal deaths in Busoga.
"These facilities have been renovated, but also equipped. A lot of investment has gone into the equipment. So, want to congratulate these five districts because many times, we have the plan, but we're unable to do them because the resource envelope limits us," Dr Atwine noted.
The Permanent Secretary also appealed to health workers to remain committed to work, avoid absenteeism and offer quality care to patients.
Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO country representative, on the other hand, observed: "For the WHO today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards Universal health coverage in Uganda."
She continued: "On behalf of the World Health Organization I would like to thank the Ministry of Health and its stewardship and the Republic of Korea and KOICA for their overwhelming commitment to investing in health and dignity."
"These Investments are not a one-off capital works. They are fundamental enablers of integrated people-centred Primary Health Care, which is the backbone of Universal health coverage," she added.
She also noted that the infrastructure for service delivery has been enhanced, and the equipping of facilities has also been done. "This will help to save mothers when they come to deliver and help to save newborns when to live beyond the newborn period and form fully into adults," she added.
District leaders, like Dr Atwine, appreciated KOICA for funding this important project and appealed to the government and development partners for more urgent support in the health sector for the sub-region, such as the need for accommodation for health workers. The leaders said this will further boost the well-being, availability and motivation of the workers to serve patients well.
Dr Richard Mugahi, the Commissioner for Reproductive and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, said besides the refurbishment and equipping of the facilities, they invested in the capacity of the health workers by training them to handle patients well and offer quality services. He said that as a result of the investments, they have already started seeing increases in the number of mothers coming for antenatal care and delivery in the facilities.
