Community Health Extension Workers Trainees in Rukungiri Stranded as Training Ends Without Payment

Rukungiri: Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Rukungiri District are stranded as their six-month training program ends without the financial support and accommodation they were promised.

The program, which started on June 23, was meant to improve community health services and involved 210 trainees aged 18 to 35. Each parish sent two participants to ensure a local approach to health care delivery.

As the training officially ends on December 5, several trainees including Benson Nagaba, Florence Tukahebwa, and Benius Ariho, told our news reporter on December 4 that they are frustrated because they have not received transport refunds or practicum allowances.

They say they rented houses believing their allowances would be paid. But with increasing rent bills, transport challenges, and little to eat, most of them are now in a desperate situation. They abandoned jobs and family duties, hoping the training would open doors for better opportunities.

Cue in…..Benson, Florence and Benius …RR

Because of the growing crisis, trainees have started protesting. They have even rejected the meals provided at the training centre, saying they will not continue unless they are paid. Some have also threatened to storm the District Health Officer’s office if their concerns are ignored.

Cue in….Voxpop …RR

Another trainee, Babylon Baryashaba, has appealed to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the LC5 Chairperson to intervene. He says the group is suffering and needs urgent help.

Cue in…Babylon urging …RR

Efforts to reach some of the officials responsible for the training were unsuccessful. However, Naome Kansiime, the head of The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) Rukungiri, admitted that the trainees’ concerns are genuine, but gave little explanation for the delay in payments.