Bujagali 2021 Scholarship recipients

The process of identifying the potential BEL scholarship beneficiaries for academic year 2017/2018 started in Mid-July 2017. There were eight (8) applicants including three females and five males. Only one applicant resides in the East Bank (Budondo Sub-County) whereas the rest of the applicants are residents on the West Bank (Wakisi Sub-County).

Elements of the fish cage farming project have been completed and stages of phase two stated in the MOU have been reaching near completion. The cage frame has been constructed and anchored at the final site as seen in the photos below. We are nearly finished with the construction of our cages and have mobilized and trained seventeen women will act as our co-operative members. We are looking forward to moving forward with the practical training with the women group once the cage work comes to completion upon receipt of phase two funds.

Maize Mill Project

The maize mill project has been progressing along successfully and phase one has reached completion remaining with only small internal electricity wiring. This was discussed with BEL and thus, the wiring left will be done upon receipt of phase 2 funds.Two grinders were purchased and installed. A group of women have been mobilized and trained on how the mill will be operated. The two millers and the group of women have undergone a theoretical safety training such as pre-operational safety checks, operational safety checks, housekeeping and potential hazards. The practical training will be done once the mill is fully operational.

Download Fish and Cage Farming Completion Report

The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) has existed for the last 30 years contributing to a process of preventing HIV infection, restoring hope and improving quality of life of persons, families and communities affected by HIV infection and disease. TASO receives funding from international and local donors. TASO is committed to realizing a World without HIV

The O&M Energy Uganda Limited (O&M) is a Ugandan company established by Gas Natural FENOSA and contracted by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL) to operate and maintain the Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Plant. As part of O&M and BEL Corporate Social Responsibility Program, it contributes to improvement of health conditions in the people who live in and around the 9 villages that were affected by the project work. Four of these villages are in Buikwe district and five in Jinja district.

TASO,O&M and BEL corporate partnership held a 3 day comprehensive medical camp at Budondo HC IV grounds   from the 20^th /06/2017 to 22^nd /06/2017 in Budondo Sub County. The camp offered health education, comprehensive HIV prevention services, well child clinic services, cervical cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, medical examination treatment for children and adults, dental and eye care services.

This medical camp was done together with Budondo health facility in extending these health services to Budondo community.

Key highlights of the activity

1. The camp was located at Budondo Health Centre IV grounds and the services offered included;
   • Health Education to the general public through Educational talks by counselors and clinicians, questions and answer sessions, songs, dance and Drama skits by the TASO Jinja drama group and expert clients.
   • Well Child Clinic for Immunization (against Polio, measles, Tetanus, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV); deworming; Vitamin A supplementation) Safe male circumcision to eligible men age 10- 49 yrs.
   • Cervical cancer screening for women between 21- >50years
   • Prostate cancer screening for men >40 years of age
   • Family planning methods for women within the reproductive age both short term methods and the long term methods of contraception
   • Sexually Transmitted infection (STI) screening and management
   • HIV counseling and testing (HCT) to the general community
   • Dental care
   • Eye care
   • General medical care where a vast range of disease were diagnosed and treated for both children and adults
2. Radio announcements and favorite DJ mentions were run at two radio stations i.e. Baba FM and NBS radios for 5 days from 15^th /06/2017. This was mainly centered on services to be offered at the camp in a bid to create awareness and demand in the population targeted.
3. O&M Energy and BEL provided the financial logistics needed for mobilization, transport, drugs and testing kits. The Jinja district Health office availed the premises where the Camp was held and TASO Jinja provided the technical expertise needed to offer the different services at the camp and the overall organization of the Camp. 
4. There was community involvement throughout the camp through the local Sub-county chief, the in-charge of Budondo HCIV, VHTs, and SMC champions. They participated in mobilization and directing the people for the different service points.

Activity Outputs 

Recommendations 

• The turn up at the camp surpassed the set target of 600. For a similar camp there is need for more clinician to ensure all who turn up are offered the services they need.
• The medicines budget should be enhanced to cater for the majority of the clients. Major drugs had run out by the end of the second day. Drugs for non communicable diseases especially hypertension should be increased so as to cater for the various needs of the clients. Neuro moderators like Nat B and vitamin B complex should be included on the list.
• Eye and dental care services should also be extended to 3 days instead of 2 only.
• Working within the Health facility setting and with the team of clinicians from the local facilities gave assurance and ownership of the process and this aided the smooth running of the camp.

Conclusion 

The Budondo camp was a great success. About 1611 people received the different services at the Camp. Majority were from Budondo Sub County and few came from the neighboring trading centers like Namulesa, Mutai and Kimaka  and districts like Mayuge, Iganga, Kamuli and Luuka among others.