Bukoba — THE Bukoba Catholic diocese is finalizing plans to construct a Medical Assistants' Centre at Kagondo Hospital in Muleba District, to mark the centenary since the hospital was founded in 1912.

Kagondo Medical Officer In-charge, Dr Modest Burchard Lwakahemula, told the 'Daily News on Saturday" in an exclusive interview that apart from the Medical Assistants Centre, the diocese was also planning to construct a modern mortuary. He said other plans included expansion of the wards from 160 beds to 250 beds to accommodate more patients.

Dr Lwakahemula further disclosed that the hospital would soon start producing functional artificial limbs, which would be available at a minimal fee to needy patients and accidents victims. He said the hospital, which was located 32 kms from Bukoba town was also getting services from AMREF whose flying doctors would provide services for the next year on contract.

Kagondo Hospital also provided free Cleft Surgery for the Poor including children from marginalized families. Dr Lwakahemula said medical personnel from the hospital gave regular HIV/ AIDS sensitization seminars to the surrounding villages including Islands in the Lake Victoria Archipelago.

The hospital was founded by the Missionaries of Africa in 1912. In 1927 the government constructed the first Tuberculosis (TB) Ward at Kagondo hospital. Dr Lwakahemula said in that period TB, Chicken Pox, malaria and diarrhoea were among the leading killer diseases.

However, modern science had reduced the death rate caused by the curable diseases. The Bukoba Catholic diocese celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1997 when retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi graced the occasion as the chief guest. The Missionaries of Africa arrived at Mushosi Village, in Bugabo Ward, Bukoba Rural district in 1897 and established Kashozi Church.

Laurian Cardinal Rugambwa, who in 1960 became the first African cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, died on December 8, 1997 in Dar es Salaam at the age of 85. His body was temporarily laid to rest in church at Kashozi parish, some 15 kms from Bukoba town. The official burial of the late Laurian Cardinal Rugambwa, at the Bukoba Cathedral will be conducted in October, this year, Auxiliary Bishop Methodius Kilaini has disclosed.

Auxiliary Bishop Kilaini, told the 'Daily News on Saturday' in an interview that the burial of the late Cardinal Rugambwa, had been delayed due to major rehabilitation of the Bukoba Cathedral. "The rehabilitation and renovation of the Bukoba Cathedral was in final touches.

We expect that the body of the late Cardinal Rugambwa will be transferred from Kashozi church on October 6, this year while consecration would be on the following day," he said. Bishop Kilaini said the burial ceremony would coincide with 100 years since the birth of Cardinal Rugambwa.