BUKEDEA — The Ministry of Health has come under scrutiny over the prolonged delay in completing a Shs549 million maternity ward at Okunguro Health Centre II in Bukedea Town Council, with an inspection team from the Office of the President questioning the ministry’s supervision of the project.
The concerns emerged during a monitoring exercise led by the Deputy Head of the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) Secretariat and Anti-Corruption Unit, Dr Sr Mary Grace Akiror, alongside Bukedea district leaders.
The team established that construction of the maternity ward had stalled for about two years despite the Ministry of Health allocating funds to the project in the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years.
Bukedea District Health Officer Dr Emmanuel Odeke Okallany said the project was divided into two phases at a combined cost of Shs549 million.
According to Odeke, BAO Financial Services Limited was contracted by the Ministry of Health to undertake the works, but district authorities and intended beneficiaries were not adequately involved in the procurement and implementation process.
The first phase, valued at Shs265 million, covered excavation of the foundation, construction of the slab and raising of the walls to beam level.
The second phase, worth Shs284 million, was intended to cover roofing and installation of doors and windows. However, the project remains incomplete.
Odeke said the district’s ability to monitor and supervise the project had been undermined by the contractor’s failure to provide local authorities with the Bills of Quantities (BoQs), making it difficult to establish the scope and cost of the works.
He said the Ministry of Health had since asked the district to provide an additional Shs200 million in the 2026/2027 financial year to facilitate completion of the maternity ward.
The additional funding would cater for plastering, painting, ceiling works and construction of a veranda, among other outstanding works, before the contractor returns to the site.
Other Projects Inspected
The monitoring team also inspected several other government projects across Bukedea District.
At the district wall fence project, valued at Shs149 million, the team established that the work executed was commensurate with the resources invested.
The team also inspected projects at Bukedea Health Centre IV, including the maternity ward, incinerator, drugs store and medical stores. Officials observed that the work completed was generally commensurate with the funds spent.
The team further inspected construction of a 0.6-kilometre low-cost sealed road valued at Shs398 million.
The road is being constructed by Taba Services Ltd under the Road Transport Infrastructure Programme of the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The monitoring team noted that construction was progressing well and urged district authorities to maintain close supervision to ensure quality and value for money.
The exercise also covered Kwarikwar Seed Secondary School, constructed under Transitional Development Grants.
The team assessed the Shs500 million project, which includes a four-classroom block, a mini-administration block and a girls’ toilet, and established that the works represented value for money.
RDC Raises Concern Over Centrally Awarded Projects
Bukedea Resident District Commissioner William Wilberforce Tukei said local governments continued to face challenges monitoring projects awarded directly by central government ministries.
Tukei said some contractors report to project sites without first engaging district authorities, creating difficulties in supervision and accountability.
He warned that the arrangement could contribute to poor workmanship because local leaders may have limited information about project scope, costs and contractual obligations.
He also raised concern over the failure by some implementing ministries and contractors to share Bills of Quantities with district authorities.
According to Tukei, this makes it difficult for local governments to effectively monitor project implementation or raise concerns where the quality of work does not correspond with the money invested.
Leaders Call for Stronger Accountability
Bukedea District Vice Chairperson LC5 Anne Akello commended the RDCs Secretariat for conducting the monitoring exercise, saying it had strengthened the resolve of political and technical leaders to improve service delivery.
Akello said local leaders remained committed to ensuring that government resources reach their intended beneficiaries, citing programmes such as the Cattle Restocking Programme and the Parish Development Model.
She also urged technical officers to remain committed to their responsibilities despite challenges they may face in the execution of their duties.
At the close of the monitoring exercise, Dr Sr Mary Grace Akiror pledged to raise concerns surrounding the stalled Okunguro Health Centre II maternity ward with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, in a bid to secure a lasting solution and ensure the facility is completed for public use.
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