Mukono District Chairperson, Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome, has issued a strong warning to government health workers against absenteeism, emphasizing that any staff found absent from duty without official permission risk dismissal from public service.
Hon. Lukooya made the remarks during an unannounced visit to Nakifuma Health Centre III, accompanied by the Mukono District Council Speaker, Hon. Hajji Asuman Muhumuza, Secretary for Health, Education and Social Services, Hon. Annah Lubuulwa, who also serves as the District Councillor representing Nagojje Sub-county, and Hon. Nakaddu Winifred, the Female District Councillor representing Kimenyedde Sub-county and Secretary for Works and Production.
The purpose of the visit was to assess service delivery at the health facility and identify key challenges affecting both patients and health workers. The district leaders were received by the Senior Clinical Officer, William, together with other health staff on duty.
During the inspection, the Chairperson found many patients seeking medical attention while only a few health workers were available to serve them. He toured several critical departments, including the maternity ward, outpatient department (OPD), laboratory, and injection room, to assess the quality of services being provided.
Among the major challenges identified were inadequate water supply, insufficient infrastructure, and understaffing, all of which continue to affect effective healthcare delivery at the facility. Patients who interacted with the district leadership appealed for urgent intervention to improve service delivery and access to better healthcare services.
While addressing both patients and health workers, Hon. Lukooya stressed that his administration would not tolerate negligence, absenteeism, or poor performance among public servants, especially in critical sectors such as health.
He warned that any health worker found absent from duty without proper authorization would face serious disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from government service.
To improve accountability and responsiveness, Hon. Lukooya pledged to work closely with the facility’s in-charge to establish a public complaints desk, where telephone contacts of district and health officials will be displayed to enable residents to report mistreatment, absenteeism, or poor service delivery.
The District Chairperson also committed himself to lobbying for the upgrade of Nakifuma Health Centre III to Health Centre IV status, a move expected to improve service capacity and increase access to essential medical services. He further promised to ensure that a permanent doctor is deployed at the facility to better serve the growing population in Nakifuma and surrounding areas.
The district leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening health service delivery across Mukono and emphasized the importance of regular monitoring and engagement with frontline service providers to ensure accountability and better outcomes for residents.
The surprise visit to Nakifuma Health Centre III reflects Mukono District leadership’s renewed commitment to improving healthcare services and holding public servants accountable. Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome’s strong stance against absenteeism sends a clear message that public service must be guided by responsibility, professionalism, and dedication to the people.
As the district moves to address staffing gaps, infrastructure challenges, and service delivery concerns, residents remain hopeful that the promised reforms—including the establishment of a complaints desk, deployment of a permanent doctor, and eventual upgrade of the facility will lead to improved healthcare access and better health outcomes for the community.
