LEADERS RAISE CONCERN OVER FUEL SHORTAGE AT MOYO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Moyo general hospital sign post

By Araba Kalsum

Moyo

Moyo District vice Local Council V Chairperson, Asienzo Aurelia, has appealed to the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to intervene in the critical fuel shortage affecting Moyo General Hospital and other health facilities in the district.

Aurelia made the appeal during the district’s Annual Health Sub-Programme Performance Review Meeting for the financial year 2025/2026, held at Moyo People’s Hall.

According to Aurelia, the withdrawal of Rock Fuel Petrol Station, which supplies fuel to Moyo General Hospital, has greatly affected service delivery, causing concern among community members and district leaders.

“To the Office of the District Resident Commissioner, I would like to bring to your attention that the issue of fuel in the district is really terrible. For two days, Moyo General Hospital has completely not had fuel. It is not the making of the management, but it is our own decision that Rock Petrol Station was pre-qualified to supply fuel to all departments in the district.”

Aurelia said the challenge is partly linked to delays in the release of government funds, which are released quarterly, yet the district has agreements with the fuel supplier.

She explained that when the district fails to settle its bills on time, suppliers may suspend fuel deliveries, leaving health facilities struggling to maintain essential services.

“You people know that government funds are released in quarters. We all know that we entered into an agreement with them. If the district does not pay them for example, Moyo General Hospital they block them from getting fuel. That is why you see the Medical Superintendent moving up and down.”

Aurelia warned that the shortage could have serious consequences, particularly during emergencies at the hospital. “I was equally shocked because, in case of any emergency in the hospital, we shall definitely lose lives. So, we need to join hands and talk to the management of Rock Fuel Station.”

When contacted by Radio Pacis, Alimani Francis, the Branch Manager of Rock Fuel Station in Moyo, confirmed that the company had temporarily stopped supplying fuel to the hospital because of delayed payments.

Alimani said the hospital had outstanding Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) dating back to April, despite fuel having been supplied.

“The incident that happened is true. We held them for some weeks because there were LPOs that had not been paid since April. We supplied them with fuel, but they could not manage to pay us back in time. As a business, we need money to bring in more stock, and we are now demanding a huge amount of money from them. So, we are holding them until they pay our money and we can continue with our activities.”

Responding to the matter, Ssekamwa Julian, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Moyo, called for collective responsibility among district leaders to address the challenge.

Ssekamwa said political and administrative leaders should work together to develop a sustainable solution that would ensure the continued supply of fuel to health facilities even when government funds are delayed.

“I just want to respond to one thing regarding the issue of fuel. I am not a supplier or a dealer, but as a person who deals with stakeholders, I think we need to take a proactive approach. All of us leaders from the political and administrative wings need to sit down and come up with a proper plan for this matter.”

Ssekamwa noted that the challenge is not unique to Moyo District, saying similar concerns have been raised in other districts.

He cited Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, where the issue of fuel supply was also reportedly raised during an online meeting he attended the previous week.

According to Ssekamwa, the Ministry of Health has encouraged health facilities facing such challenges to seek local solutions by engaging fuel suppliers and establishing workable arrangements that allow services to continue while awaiting the release of government funds.

“The communication from the Ministry was that we should find a home solution. The home solution means talking to these suppliers and finding a working method where they can supply you and you pay after the funds have come and services have to continue. So, let us put our heads together and talk to these people.”

The leaders urged all stakeholders to work together to resolve the fuel shortage and prevent disruptions in essential health services at Moyo General Hospital and other health facilities in the district.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis