Rukungiri
Committed to serving the communities around Rukungiri
Our History
TASO started working in Rukungiri – Western Uganda – in 2004.
It began its operations in the former Rukungiri Municipality education office after a request from the Local Community with support from the former Minister for Health Major Gen Jim Muhwezi to open up a center providing TASO like services in the hilly areas of Rukungiri. It later shifted to its own premises next to Rukungiri Health Center IV (commonly known as Rwamahwa) located along Ishaka Road about 600 metres from the Municipal Town Council.
Rukungiri is made up of mostly hills and valleys with most of the population living
in hard to reach areas and therefore not able to easily access medical services.
Operations
By June 2018, TASO Rukungiri has served and improved the lives of 7,200 clients 4,728 (female) and 2, 472 (male), their families and communities.
It operates within a 75 km radius and its catchment area covers the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu, Mitooma, Ntungamo by 39 full time staff.
TASO Rukungiri contributes to the TASO vision of Empowered and Healthy communities by providing a comprehensive package through the following services to children, adolescents, youth, and adults (as appropriate);
- Psychosocial Services: (adherence counseling, condom/lubricant education and distribution, Gender Based Violence screening, peer counseling, risk reduction counseling, behavior change communication, referral for other psychosocial needs not provided such as economic needs and education)
- Clinical Services: (Nutrition monitoring, adherence measurement, Tuberculosis screening, Opportunistic Infections examinations if any, Laboratory investigation (Viral Load and CD4 count); weight monitoring, Mental Health screening.
It has also been involved in a number of research studies and collaborations.
Clinic Days
- Monday and Tuesday – Center general clinics
- Wednesday – Adolescent (once a month)
- Thursday – eMTCT (once a month)
Management Structure
The Center is headed by a Center Programme Manager who is supported by 4 heads of departments which are; Medical, Psychosocial, Human Resources, Finance and Administration.
Governance Structure
The Center has a Center Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of 9 members headed by a Chairperson. This is the Center/Community arm of the TASO Organisational Board of Trustees.
The Center also has Clients’ Council made up of eleven (13) members headed by a Chairperson. This is the governing decision making body for all the clients served at the Center whether at the facility or in outreach clinics such as Community Drug Distribution Points.
Funding
The Center’s major sources of funding include;
- USAID through Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS foundation (EGPAF)
Call to Membership
You too can make a difference in the lives of people infected and affected by becoming a TASO Subscriber Member.
One can become an individual or corporate member and make an annual subscription towards a basket fund. This basket fund was set up to cater for budgeted items that are not covered by the donors.
As a fully registered TASO Subscriber Member you are eligible, among other things, if nominated and elected, to serve on the Center Advisory Committee and eventually the TASO Board of Trustees.
An Annual General Meeting is held every September to give accountability not only to the donors but to the Subscriber Members as well.