Uganda, Feb. 23 -- How do you spend almost a billion shillings refurbishing an important health facility and then keep it under lock and key for two years, condemning nearly 100,000 people to a life of woe? This is what Tororo District authorities have done on the unconvincing ground they are unable to raise Shs35 million to pay off the land owner.

Katajula Health Centre III was once a grade II facility but with support from the Global Financing Facility and International development Agency it was upgraded. The plan was for it to help decongest the more established Nagongera Health Centre IV located seven kilometres away. But that plan remains a pipe dream, along with hopes it would provide a valuable service to pregnant mothers.

It is ...