A 79-year-old Scottish national, William Whyte, has donated Shs 2.5 billion towards the construction of a modern maternity facility at Nakasongola health centre IV.
Whyte, a retired boat skipper from Fraserburgh—the largest shellfish port in Scotland—funds charitable projects through his Oor Bairns Charitable Trust. His trust raises money by recycling steel, scrap metal, and old fishing nets.
Over the years, he has initiated several projects in Uganda, including setting up a farm, providing fresh drinking water to local communities, and shipping two ultrasound scanners to Nakasongola in 2021 to aid pregnant women.
Currently, Nakasongola health centre IV delivers at least 200 babies every month. However, with only 16 maternity beds, the facility struggles with overcrowding, forcing many mothers to be discharged just hours after delivery.
Addressing the maternity crisis, Dr. Agaba Byamukama, Nakasongola district health officer, said that due to the rising demand for maternal services, the district sought assistance from Whyte, who had previously supported other community projects.
In response, Whyte donated Shs 2.5 billion from his personal savings in October 2024 to fund the construction of a state-of-the-art maternity complex. Construction of the 42-bed maternity ward is already underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Dr. Agaba expressed optimism that, once completed, the facility will significantly reduce congestion and provide a safer environment for mothers and newborns.
Features of new maternity complex
According to Livingstone Sseruyange, managing director of Linear Engineering Services Limited, the company contracted to construct the facility, work is progressing well, with completion expected by September 2025.
The modern maternity complex will include a maternity ward, a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a paediatric ward, two operating theatres, an isolation unit, a high-dependency unit (HDU), a doctor’s room, among other essential facilities.
Nakasongola County MP Noah Mutebi and Nakasongola District Woman MP Victoria Zawedde praised Whyte for his generosity and commitment to improving maternal healthcare in the region.
However, Mutebi urged the government to equip the facility upon completion, as the donation only covered construction costs. Lilian Aber, minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Relief, and Refugees, who visited the construction site, commended Whyte’s contribution to Uganda’s health sector.
She acknowledged the need for equipping the new facility and pledged to bring the matter to the attention of the minister of Health and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. Reflecting on his charitable work, Whyte stated: “Every penny I get from recycling nets goes towards helping people. Fishing has been good to me, and I’m trying to support those less fortunate.”
In addition to healthcare support, Whyte has used proceeds from recycling old nets to purchase solar panels and pumps, providing fresh running water in Nakasongola. Beneficiaries of these fresh water projects including Hope Village in Nakasongola, Bethel High School and The Oor Bairns Farm.
Whyte’s charity work in Uganda began after he volunteered at an orphanage through the Irish charity New Beginnings. During that time, he forged strong connections with a local high school, sparking his long-term commitment to supporting Ugandan communities.
Ugandans MUST ensure Good Humane Governance that will ensure Public/Social Services! Real Education for ALL children is the only way this will be possible as women will know WHY they have children!
From 1986, Uganda population has doubbled, yet poverty is so so high, yet so much money has been, is being given to Uganda while NOTHING is done to ensure Good Governance & use of even tax money!
Rwandese Museveni will rule for life unless Ugandans say NO to the tribalistic system he so so cleaverly put in place & UNITE to stop him, then put in place the kind of governance they want!
Then & only then will Ugandans benefit from charities of good hearted people/rich!
Why is Museveni’s lifetime rule, ownership of tax money & using it as he wishes not a problem for Ugandans?