President Yoweri Museveni has commended former Olympian Julius Achon for supplementing government efforts in health service delivery.

The front view of the Kristina Health Centre in Otuke district constructed following former runner Julius Achon’s effort

The president praised the former national athlete during the official opening of the Kristina Health Centre in Awake village, Otuke district on Saturday. The event attracted a big crowd.

The health facility that has two buildings, was funded by US-based Achon and his foreign friends. Achon hails from Otuke.

In a message read by primary health state minister Sarah Opendi, the President said public and private sectors are crucial in health service delivery.

“The government is strongly committed to delivering health care to all the people of Uganda,” Museveni’s message said in part.

The health centre managed by Jim Fee, an American career medical device industry specialist as executive director, is dedicated to Achon’s mother Kristina who was killed in 2004 during a Lord’s Resistance Army rebel attack.

The sh220m facility was constructed with support from Achon’s friends in America and Australia.

Olympian Wellings Eloise led the Australian delegation of 15 people at the event.

The health facility is among the many projects run by Achon Uganda Children’s Fund in the area.

The body also gives bursaries to needy children besides a seed basket for women in the area formerly ravaged by the LRA war.

“I do not have a lot of money, my desire is to encourage other Ugandans to give back to the community,” Achon told the gathering.

By Samson Opus, The New Vision