Rukungiri District has received its first digital X-ray machine in a public health facility since its establishment in 1974. At the time, the area was known as North Kigezi District, before being renamed Rukungiri in 1980.
The milestone equipment, donated by the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) to the Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Health, was officially handed over to district authorities at the Rukungiri District headquarters. The handover ceremony was witnessed by the District Health Officer (DHO), LC5 Chairperson, Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS), and other local leaders.
Resident District Commissioner Steven Nsubuga Bewayo revealed that the mobile digital X-ray machine, valued at UGX 145 million, will be stationed at Bugangari Health Centre IV. He emphasized that the equipment is portable and can be deployed to medical camps or used in emergencies at other health facilities within the district.
RDC Nsubuga urged the trained health workers to handle the machine with care and ensure it is effectively used to serve the community. He described the donation as a major step forward in improving access to diagnostic services, noting that patients previously had to travel long distances to private or regional facilities such as St. Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale, Kisizi Hospital, or Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to get X-ray services.
“This machine brings crucial services closer to the people and into our public health system,” Nsubuga said.
Bugangari Health Centre IV had also recently received an ultrasound machine, and with the addition of the digital X-ray, the facility is expected to significantly boost health service delivery in the district.
CUE IN RDC NSUBUGA……ON X-RAY…….LUG/ENG//
