The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has initiated construction of a Shs1.9 billion maternity ward at Mbaraara Health Centre II in Hoima District, in collaboration with local authorities. The project was launched on Friday by EACOP Managing Director Guillaume Dulout, who emphasized the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on health, youth development, and environmental services. Attendees included Senior Presidential Advisor on Oil and Gas Development Dr. Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, Hoima District Chairperson Uthuman Mugisha Mubarak, and local MPs, who highlighted the facility’s role in reducing maternal mortality by providing closer access to safe delivery services. Dulout stated the ward would address the long distances mothers currently travel for care, while Dr. Kabagambe urged families to adopt family planning to improve maternal health outcomes.
The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, directed Hoima District authorities to upgrade Mbaraara Health Centre II to a Health Centre III to meet rising demand. District Chairperson Mugisha praised EACOP’s investment, noting that mothers in the area face significant challenges accessing maternity services. He pledged district support for the upgrade, which aims to enhance healthcare access for residents. Bugahya County MP Pius Wakabi also called for an ambulance allocation and a secondary school in the constituency to address emergency care and education gaps, reflecting broader community needs tied to the region’s development.
Construction of the maternity ward, led by Kaleeta Construction Limited, is expected to be completed within six months. EACOP also distributed support items to expectant mothers at the facility, with Dr. Kabagambe linking the initiative to national efforts to reduce maternal mortality. The project aligns with EACOP’s CSR strategy, which includes partnerships with local governments to address social and infrastructural challenges in oil-producing regions. The health centre’s upgrade underscores the intersection of corporate investment and public health priorities in Hoima, a key area for Uganda’s energy sector expansion.
The launch highlights the growing emphasis on community welfare amid Uganda’s oil development. While EACOP’s CSR initiatives focus on health and education, local leaders stress the need for additional infrastructure and services to support Hoima’s expanding population. The maternity ward’s completion is anticipated to alleviate pressure on regional healthcare systems and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns, reflecting a broader push to balance economic growth with social development in oil-adjacent communities.