State House staff have benefited from a medical camp aimed at promoting preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and access to essential health services.
The camp, held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Okello House in Nakasero, brought together health professionals and partners to provide a range of services, including HIV and tuberculosis (TB) screening, cancer screening, hepatitis B testing, blood donation, non-communicable disease (NCD) screening and treatment, and physiotherapy.
Organised by Ms. Nachwa Viola, a counsellor and HIV/TB focal person at State House, the initiative was designed to promote staff wellness and support the Presidential Initiative to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Held under the theme “Early Detection, Lifelong Protection: Your Future,” the camp emphasised the importance of routine medical check-ups, timely diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive healthcare.
Ms. Hope Nyakairu, the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at State House, who was the guest of honour, welcomed staff who turned up for the exercise and encouraged them to undergo regular medical examinations. She noted that a healthy workforce was essential for institutional productivity.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this important State House medical camp. This camp is a clear demonstration of our commitment at State House to the health, welfare and well-being of our staff and their families,” she said.
Mr. Benon Twinobusingye, the Assistant Commissioner and Head of Human Resource at State House, urged staff to take advantage of such initiatives, noting that they provide opportunities for the early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
“Today, we had a medical camp for our staff. We acknowledge that the health and well-being of our staff are paramount, because healthy staff are productive staff,” he said.
He added that promoting the welfare of public servants was a government priority, which the President had also emphasised.
“As a government, it is our policy to promote the well-being of staff, and the President has also emphasised this,” he said.
The camp also featured health education sessions focusing on disease prevention, early detection, adherence to treatment and the importance of seeking medical attention before illnesses become severe.
During the sessions, speakers emphasised the importance of HIV testing, combating stigma and supporting people living with HIV to access treatment and lead healthy lives.
One of the speakers, Dr. Stephen Watiti, a 73-year-old man living with HIV, shared his experience of living with the virus for decades while receiving treatment.
He explained that antiretroviral therapy had helped suppress his viral load and enabled him to maintain his health.
Dr. Watiti urged people living with HIV to seek medical care and adhere to their prescribed medication, warning that stigma, misinformation and failure to access treatment could contribute to preventable deaths.
He also highlighted the importance of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, urging women to know their HIV status and undergo testing during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
He noted that women who acquire HIV during these periods need timely diagnosis and treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their babies.
On tuberculosis, Dr. Watiti emphasised the importance of screening, early diagnosis and treatment. Participants were encouraged to seek medical attention if they experienced symptoms and to avoid stigmatising people affected by the disease.
The sessions further highlighted factors that can increase vulnerability to illness, including HIV infection, diabetes, poor nutrition, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Speakers stressed the need to address stigma and other barriers that prevent people from seeking healthcare.
Mental health was another key area of discussion. Dr. Watiti encouraged participants to recognise possible warning signs and understand that mental well-being is an essential component of overall health.
Blood Donation and Cancer Screening
The medical camp also featured a blood donation exercise.
Ms. Lilian Nantambi, a senior blood donor recruiter at Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, said approximately 50 units of blood had been collected by the time she spoke.
She noted that a single unit of donated blood could help save the lives of up to three people, depending on how it was processed and used.
Ms. Nantambi highlighted the importance of voluntary blood donation in supporting patients who require transfusions and encouraged more people to donate, particularly ahead of periods when blood supplies may become limited.
Meanwhile, Ms. Dina Kebirungi, a public health specialist from the Uganda Cancer Institute, urged participants to undergo routine cancer screening, stressing the importance of detecting the disease before it advances.
She cautioned that some cancers may progress without obvious symptoms, making regular screening and timely medical assessment essential for early intervention.
Ms. Nachwa underscored the importance of sustaining medical camps to support staff welfare and build a healthier workforce.
“Today’s main goal is to promote a healthy life among our staff members because good health results in a healthy workforce. We always encourage our staff to test and know their status in all aspects of their health,” she said.
Ms. Annette Mukabera, a Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, welcomed the initiative, saying the camps provide staff with opportunities to undergo tests and learn more about healthcare, including cancer prevention and screening.
“I am very pleased about the medical camp we have had, something we always look forward to. Through it, we learn a number of things. In this camp, we have been able to undergo testing and learn about medical care, particularly regarding cancer, which is increasingly becoming a concern, and much more,” she said.
Dr. Samuel Oledo, a member of the State House medical team, encouraged staff to maintain healthy lifestyles by exercising regularly, eating balanced diets and managing their daily routines to accommodate physical activity.
“You can eat well and exercise, regulate your diet and make sure you exercise,” he advised.
Representing the staff, Mr. Richard Beyunga, General Secretary of the Achievers Initiative SACCO for State House staff, thanked the organisers for the exercise, saying employees had benefited from the services and medical tests offered.
He called for the medical camp to be organised at least once every quarter to enable staff to access regular health checks and identify and address medical conditions early.
Dr. Paul Steven Ayera Atari, Assistant Director at the State House Health Monitoring Unit, also encouraged staff to participate in such initiatives to improve their understanding of healthcare and preventive measures.
He said the camp was in line with the Presidential directive for ministries and government institutions to implement workplace wellness programmes.
“This medical camp is in line with the Presidential call for every ministry to conduct wellness programmes at their workplaces. These programmes are not limited to physical exercise but also include ensuring that people have adequate nutrition, sufficient sleep and regular medical check-ups,” he said.
Dr. Ayera added that periodic medical examinations were important because some health conditions may not present symptoms in their early stages but could be detected and treated through routine screening.
The medical camp reaffirmed State House’s commitment to promoting staff wellness through preventive healthcare, health education and early intervention.