KISORO, UGANDA: Staff of Metropolitan FM, together with the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament and State Minister, Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, have donated essential items to patients at Kinanira Health Centre III in Busanza Sub-county, Kisoro District.
The outreach, which took place on Sunday, was aimed at supporting vulnerable members of the community, particularly pregnant mothers, mothers who have recently delivered and other patients receiving treatment at the health facility.
The donated items included sugar, soap and other basic necessities intended to help patients meet some of their immediate needs while at the health centre.
The outreach was led by Metropolitan FM Station Manager Bamwesigye Laston, while Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano was represented by her Political Assistant, Dickson Kwiringira.
The initiative is part of Metropolitan FM’s growing community engagement and corporate social responsibility activities as the station seeks to strengthen its relationship with communities within its coverage area.
The donation also comes ahead of an anticipated football match between Metropolitan FM staff and Busanza leaders, which is expected to bring together members of the media, local leaders and residents in a community engagement activity.
The Busanza outreach is the first in a series of community activities being undertaken ahead of the official launch of Metropolitan FM, scheduled for 31st December 2026.
The official launch will be held under the theme of the Iwacu Festival, which is expected to feature entertainment from local, national and international artists, alongside other activities celebrating the radio station and its relationship with the community.
The decision to support patients at Kinanira Health Centre III is being supported by Metropolitan FM Director Dr. Gracious Ariyo and Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano as part of efforts to extend support to people seeking health services in the area.
Pregnant mothers, mothers who have recently given birth, and children often face several challenges while staying at health facilities, including difficulties accessing basic household and personal hygiene items.
The donation of soap and sugar was therefore intended to provide immediate assistance to the beneficiaries while demonstrating Metropolitan FM’s commitment to the welfare of the communities it serves.
Speaking during the handover, Metropolitan FM Chief Editor Julius Nkunda thanked the management and staff of Kinanira Health Centre III for welcoming the radio station and allowing it to conduct the outreach at the facility.
Nkunda said the donation was not simply about giving out items, but was part of Metropolitan FM’s broader commitment to working with and supporting communities within its area of operation.
He said the radio station considers itself part of the community and will continue using its platform to identify challenges affecting local people and work with different stakeholders to find possible solutions.
Nkunda added that Metropolitan FM is committed to maintaining a positive relationship with the community and ensuring that its activities go beyond broadcasting news and programmes.
He emphasised that the station is committed to supporting the community, particularly vulnerable people and those in need of assistance.
Metropolitan FM Station Manager Bamwesigye Laston said the donation forms part of the station’s corporate social responsibility activities and reflects the responsibility of media organisations to give back to the communities that support them.
Bamwesigye said Metropolitan FM will continue identifying opportunities where it can contribute to the welfare of the people, including patients, mothers, young people and other vulnerable members of society.
He explained that the relationship between the station and its audience should not only exist through radio broadcasts, but should also be demonstrated through direct interaction and community-based initiatives.
The Station Manager thanked the people of Busanza and the wider Kisoro community for their continued support of Metropolitan FM.He also appealed to the public to continue supporting the station as it expands its programmes and community engagement activities.
Representing Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, her Political Assistant, Dickson Kwiringira, said the Minister remains committed to improving the welfare of people in Kisoro District, particularly through supporting better health service delivery.
Kwiringira said the Minister is working to ensure that health facilities in the area receive the necessary support to improve services provided to patients.
He said efforts are also being made to address some of the challenges affecting Kinanira Health Centre III, including shortages of beds and other essential medical equipment.
According to Kwiringira, improving the availability of health equipment is important because it enables health workers to provide better services and creates a more conducive environment for mothers and other people seeking treatment. He also conveyed greetings from Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano to the patients, health workers and residents of Busanza.
The In-Charge of Kinanira Health Centre III, Sister Mbarimu Specioza, welcomed the donation and thanked Metropolitan FM and Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano for remembering patients at the facility.
She said such support is important because some patients and mothers arrive at health facilities facing financial and material challenges.
Mbarimu called upon other leaders, organisations, private companies and well-wishers to consider supporting Kinanira Health Centre III with basic necessities and medical equipment.
Health workers also encouraged partners to maintain communication with the facility so that areas requiring urgent support can be identified and addressed.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to Metropolitan FM and Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano for the support.
Some patients said the donated items would help reduce the financial burden of purchasing basic necessities while undergoing treatment or caring for their newborn babies.
The mothers particularly appreciated the provision of soap and sugar, saying the items would be useful during their stay at the health facility and after returning home.
They appealed to Metropolitan FM management, leaders and other well-wishers to continue supporting patients, pregnant mothers and other vulnerable members of the community through similar initiatives.
The outreach marks another step in Metropolitan FM’s efforts to strengthen its connection with the communities it serves, as the station prepares for its official launch and a broader programme of community engagement activities across its growing coverage area.
