About Us
Our Story, Team, and Vision for Lake Bunyonyi
Our Origins and Story
Florence Mubonehe Memorial Health Centre
Welcome to a place where memory, compassion, and community come together to offer hope and healing to the people of Lake Bunyonyi.
Nestled among the green ridges and scattered islands of southwestern Uganda, Florence Mubonehe Memorial Health Centre is not just a medical facility — it is a story of love. A story that began with a young girl crossing the lake in a canoe beside her mother, and grew into a vision to serve one of the most beautiful — and underserved — communities in Uganda.
In Memory, In Service - The health centre is named in honor of the late Florence Mubonehe, a dedicated medical worker who served for nearly 50 years, from Bwama Hospital to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital. Though she never received formal education, Florence learned through experience, compassion, and tireless service to her patients. She lived for others — and now, her name lives on in this health centre built on the land where she was born.
Her daughter, Alice Kyarimpa, returned to Lake Bunyonyi and saw what many had missed: while the world marveled at its beauty and investors flocked to buy land for resorts and lodges, the people living there still lacked access to basic healthcare.
Instead of following the commercial tide, Alice chose a different path — one led by memory, service, and love for her community. In 2023, she laid the foundation for this facility with a free medical camp, and with support from family, friends, Rubanda District, and international well-wishers, the dream became real.
Read Our Story In Monitor Publications
Founder Alice Kyarimpa
Our Team
Medical Centre Management Team
Dr.Alice Kyarimpa
Founder
Dr. Derrick
In-Charge
Dr. Phoebe Atukunda
Supervisor
Ms. Lilian Kamusiime
Community Co-ordinator
Ms. Kobusingye Promise
Resident Nurse
Mr. Muhanguzi Joel Clever
Nurse
What We Do
We serve islanders, farmers, children, mothers, and visitors — anyone in need of urgent or basic care.
Our focus includes:
- Primary outpatient care
- Health education and disease prevention
- Maternal and child health
- Family planning and immunization services
- Community health outreaches and medical camps
- Emergency first response care
With support, we plan to expand to include dental, maternity, and diagnostic services — right here, close to the people.
Vision & Mission
Vision
To become a world-leading non-profit organization in rural health and social care, research, training, recruitment and best care practice involving health insurance groups, schools and communities. We are an interdenominational organization.
Mission
Save a life at Lake Bunyonyi Community
AIM
The aim is to bring health services closer to the lowest community and have a wide range of treatments and services more accessible to nearby rural population.
Built on Collaboration
This work would not be possible without the partnerships and hearts that were the first to join us:
- Rubanda District Health Office, led by Dr. Abdon Birungi
- Health workers from Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, Kagarama, Kinyi, and Hamurwa
- Local leadership: LC1s, VHTs, and our hardworking community mobilisers
- Individuals who walked and swam for this cause — including Kate Perryman Smith, Hanna Bapty, Margaret McClean, Julie, Karen
- Florence Mubonehe family
- Alice Kyarimpa's twins; Joshua and Abigail
To all of you: we say thank you.
And to Lilian Kamusiime, who stood beside Alice from the beginning — this vision would not have taken its first breath without your belief.
Sustainability
Our sustainability model combines community partnerships, responsible tourism, and social enterprise to create lasting impact. Through our SMART sustainability plan, we ensure the health center remains operational while serving the community's needs.
Key initiatives include:
- Tourism partnerships that fund medical services
- Community health insurance programs
- Training programs for local health workers
- Eco-friendly infrastructure development
Challenges We Face
Though our foundation is strong, the challenges are real:
- Patients still cross the lake by boat — even in emergencies
- Transport, telecommunication, and infrastructure are weak
- There is no staff accommodation yet for nurses or midwives
- Medicines and supplies are often in short supply
- We dream of having a scan machine, maternity unit, and a community ambulance boat
But we are not discouraged — we are inspired. Because with your help, we will overcome.
How You Can Support
Donate
Help us stock medicines, build staff housing, and expand services
Partner
Bring your organization, skills, or supplies into our network
Volunteer
Medical and non-medical volunteers are welcome
Sponsor
Sponsor a Lifesaving Boat Jacket for households living across the lake
Every coin, every contact, every message of support brings us closer to our vision: "Saving a life at Lake Bunyonyi."
You're building something that will live beyond buildings — you're restoring dignity and access to generations. Let's keep making it real, together.