KAMPALA – The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) in partnership with Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) on Saturday May 25, cleaned up the Kawempe specialized referral hospital in a drive to promote spirit of voluntarism in the country’s corporate culture.
The activity involved cleaning all wards, lavatories, waste management, slashing and planting garden of trees and green grass aimed at giving the hospital a green ambiance.
PRAU president Sarah Kagingo commended the UPDF for accepting the partnership for a good cause.
“We decided to approach UPDF who are renown in the country for responding to emergencies and during Army week they do such activities. They are critical partners and we thank them for providing all the cleaning implements,” the PRAU president said.
Ms Kagingo said the activity was extended to Kawempe Referral Hospital because it provides medical services at a free cost to mothers and children in and from out of Kampala.
Brig-Gen. Richard Karemire the UPDF spokesperson who represented that Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi said the UPDF was delighted to be at Kawempe referral hospital not for security reasons but to support yet another noble cause.
“We are here as partners to PRAU to conduct a very noble duty of ensuring that our health facilities are clean as a way of improving the health of the people of Uganda,” Brig Karemire said.
He appreciated PRAU through its President Kagingo for choosing UPDF as a partner in this operation noting that, “There are many other institutions you would have called on to partner with you today but there’s a special reason of choosing UPDF over others.”
The UPDF spokesperson added that supporting civilians has always been part of the people’s army character and on many occasions this has been well demonstrated.
“I am glad that this time round it is not about our Tarehe Sita week where we go out to communities for such similar activities which we refer to as civil military activities. We have ever been here at this hospital and I am glad we are back in a different form,” he said.
For the same drive, UPDF was escorted by the Local Defense Units (LDUs) who came to support the work.
Dr Kazibwe Lawrence the Acting Deputy Director of Kawempe Referral Hospital appreciated saying, “I am glad that PRAU and UPDF have heard our cry, thank you for coming in at this time to help us with the cleaning up of this hospital.
He said that cleaning services are outsourced, “we have contractors who do the cleaning and waste management but once in a while and I wish this team continues with this work it will help many health facilities.”
The Acting Deputy Director highlighted that Kawempe referral hospital is a specialized facility that receives mothers and children below 16 years.
“On average we receive 200-300 mothers and children a day, and for deliveries, we see a number of 100 to 150 every day and 25 percent of these deliveries are for C-section. However this facility was built with a 200-bed capacity yet we get a very high turnover,” he added
