The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has successfully concluded a 12-day medical outreach in the Kigezi sub-region, delivering free and lifesaving healthcare services to more than 47,000 residents across six districts.
The medical camp, organized as part of activities marking the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary due in February next year, exceeded expectations by reaching far more people than the initially projected 35,000 patients, highlighting both the region’s healthcare needs and the strong community trust in the initiative.
Six UPDF medical teams were deployed in Kabale, Rukiga, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, and Rubanda districts, offering services through static clinics at health facilities and mobile units. Residents accessed a wide range of specialised services, including dental and eye care, HIV and tuberculosis testing, cervical cancer screening, maternal health services, treatment of common illnesses, and vector control.
According to Colonel Dr Francis Xavier Bakehena, the Head of Public Health in the UPDF and Coordinator of Joint Staff Health Services for the Tarehe Sita activities in Kigezi, the operation achieved its objectives despite difficult terrain.
“We expected to cover around 35,000 people, but we overshot that number. We have recorded almost 47,000 patients,” Col Dr Bakehena said.
The medical teams conducted 185 successful surgical procedures, mainly hernia repairs and excision of swellings such as lipomas. Maternal health services recorded 192 normal deliveries and 48 caesarean sections, all completed successfully.
Commonly treated conditions included upper respiratory tract infections, particularly linked to the region’s cold climate. Malaria cases were limited to Kanungu and Rukungiri districts, with no cases reported in Kisoro, Rubanda, Kabale, and Rukiga. Health workers also noted a high prevalence of hypertension among both older persons and young people, alongside widespread dental, ear, nose, throat, and eye conditions.
Cervical cancer screening revealed an approximately eight per cent positivity rate. Col Dr Bakehena described the findings as concerning but manageable with early intervention, noting that all identified cases received treatment or referrals for specialised care.
Beyond curative services, the UPDF carried out extensive vector control activities, fumigating and spraying more than 300 homes and public facilities, including schools and health centres. Health education was reinforced using film vans supported by the Ministry of Health.
To further strengthen local health facilities, the UPDF will donate 155 mattresses, delivery beds, and mama kits, with special focus on maternity wards.
Kabale District Health Officer, Dr Gilbert Mateeka, praised the collaboration, describing the surgical services as a major boost to district healthcare and a valuable learning opportunity for local health workers.
“It has been a learning experience for our health workers because they are working with experts from UPDF,” Dr Mateeka said, adding that the presence of uniformed medical personnel had improved community perceptions of the defence forces.
A joint UPDF–District Health Department follow-up mechanism has been established to ensure continuity of care, particularly for post-surgical patients. UPDF medical teams are expected to return later this month for patient reviews and handover of completed projects.
According to UPDF figures, women accounted for about 75 per cent of patients treated, with the highest turnout among people aged 40 years and above.
As the medical teams scale down operations, health officials and community leaders say the impact of the outreach will be long-lasting, strengthening health outcomes, building local capacity, and reinforcing collaboration between the UPDF and civilian health services across the Kigezi sub-region.
