Representatives of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in Parliament have donated state-of-the-art dental equipment to Dr. Ronald Bata Memorial Hospital, located within the Special Forces Command (SFC) barracks in Nsamizi, Entebbe.
The donation was led by Brig. Gen. Charity Bainababo, currently pursuing a course at the National Defence College (NDC) in Jinja, who represented the Minister of State for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbadi.
She was accompanied by fellow UPDF MPs Dr. Victoria Nekesa and Dr. Jennifer Alanyo.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Brig. Gen. Bainababo explained that the initiative was funded by contributions from UPDF MPs, channeled through Wazalendo SACCO, following a decision made during their first caucus meeting chaired by Gen. David Muhoozi.
“As a caucus, we have continuously supported the forces, delivering medical equipment to various barracks. This latest contribution will benefit both the troops and civilians. We are grateful to the hospital administration for their dedication and for maintaining a clean facility,” said Brig. Gen. Bainababo.
She further pledged the UPDF Parliamentary caucus’s commitment to securing additional resources to improve health services for soldiers and their families.
Dr. Nekesa expressed gratitude to the SFC leadership for their investment in infrastructure aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alanyo praised the caucus’s efforts, noting that the new dental equipment would significantly improve the health and well-being of military personnel and their families.
She urged operators of the equipment to ensure its proper maintenance by seeking advice from reputable organisations.
Col. Norbert Kabugo, representing Maj. Gen. Ambrose Musinguzi from the Joint Staff Health Services, lauded the hospital administration and thanked the UPDF MPs for their contribution.
He assured the gathering of the Joint Health Services’ continued support for the hospital, which he described as one of the most active and reliable within the UPDF health directorates.
The Director of Human Resource Management at SFC, Col. John Mango Baraza, who represented the Commander of the SFC, welcomed the MPs and thanked them for donating the Shs45 million dental unit.
The Director of Dr. Ronald Bata Memorial Hospital, Capt. Dr. Isaac Tukesiga, also expressed his appreciation to President Museveni for his vision of establishing hospitals within the military, bringing essential health services closer to soldiers and their families.
Dr. Tukesiga informed the delegation that the newly donated machine had already treated 736 patients, most of whom were civilians, over the past three months. He extended his gratitude to the UPDF MPs for their ongoing contributions to the medical field.
Among the UPDF MPs who contributed to the initiative were Gen. Edward Katumba, Gen. David Muhoozi, Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Lt. Gen. James Mugira, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Maj. Gen. Henry Matsiko, Brig. Gen. Charity Bainababo, Col. Dr. Victoria Nekesa, and Lt. Col. Dr. Jennifer Alanyo.
The ceremony was attended by senior and junior officers, directors from various departments, and staff of Dr. Ronald Bata Memorial Hospital.
