Thousands of residents turned up for free medical services at the Kabaka’s Tubeere Balamuu health camp in Kyaggwe County, an initiative aimed at improving community health and expanding access to affordable medical care.
The event which ran from August 12-13, at the Kyagwe county headquarters in Mukono, was officially launched by Prince Daudi Chwa, representing His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who sent a message stressing the urgent need for greater investment in the health sector.
“It has been discovered that our people are sick, and the health sector needs more investment and greater attention. We have introduced health insurance to enable our people to access medical care at an affordable cost. This initiative shows our commitment to improving people’s conditions and protecting their lives,” the Kabaka said in his message.
The health camp was supported by Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), whose contributions the Kabaka described as invaluable in making the outreach a success.
Residents received services ranging from general check-ups and dental care to cancer screening and vaccination. The Kabaka also commended the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in the Kingdom and the Kabaka Foundation for the great work they have done in improving the health of his subjects, and encouraged more Ugandans to join health insurance schemes so they can receive medical care at any time.
The Arch Bishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemwogerere, acknowledged the Kabaka Foundation’s role in introducing medical camps across various counties, alongside promoting health insurance to make medical care more accessible.
Bishop Henry katumba tamale with officials from Buganda kingdom and DTB bank during the health camp
“Let us encourage everyone to join insurance, because when sickness comes, one will have a way to be helped. Life expectancy in Uganda is improving, but we should aim higher. God planned our years to be seventy, and for the strong, eighty, and personally I believe that insurance can help us reach this,” he said.
Arch Bishop Ssemwogerere appealed to Ugandans both at home and in the diaspora to take health matters seriously, stressing the importance of regular medical check-ups and early detection of diseases like cancer.
Buikwe South member of parliament, Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga described the camp as a big gift from the Kabaka to ensure that people not only receive treatment but also advice and financing options for their health needs.
“Many of our people suffer from illness, poverty and lack of knowledge about where to seek help. This camp therefore shows that healthcare is a critical need that many cannot easily access under current circumstances,” Dr. Lulume said.
He noted that while the Kabaka’s efforts have brought life-saving interventions closer to the people, the Kingdom alone cannot meet every medical need. He urged both the central government and the public to support health financing initiatives, particularly health insurance, to ensure sustained access to care.
Dr. Lulume also stressed the importance of prevention, noting that most illnesses seen at the camp were avoidable with lifestyle changes. He urged communities to adopt preventive measures such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, and hand washing to curb both lifestyle and communicable diseases.
The Kyaggwe County Head (Ssekiboobo), Vincent Matovu, urged residents, especially the youth, to use the opportunity to seek early diagnosis and treatment, with special emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention.
He thanked the Kabaka for prioritising the health of his people, noting that the health camp complements ongoing projects, including the soon-to-be-completed hospital in Nyenga Sub-County.
It should be noted that the Kabaka’s Tubeere Balamu program has so far taken medical camps to several counties across Buganda, combining treatment with public health education. The initiative is not only improving access to care but also increasing life expectancy by encouraging regular check-ups and early detection of serious illnesses like cancer.
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