Division Mayors happy as KCCA procures 7 more ambulances for divisions

KAMPALA - Nakawa Division Mayor Paul Mugambe has thanked KCCA for procuring all divisions in Kampala ambulances but advised them to let all divisions be in charge of their day to day running.

“We will be able to fuel them because it is a service to the people who pay taxes and have to access these medical services for free. Also, I as Mayor Nakawa and Hon. Ronald Balimwezo MP Nakawa East already have ambulances that benefit those in need of the services and we will add more in order to serve different communities out there,” Mugambe said.

“We also need more oxygen ambulances because of the many accidents encountered by motorists, boda-bodas and even pedestrians,” he added. Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Rubaga Division, Makindye Division all received an ambulance and were represented by their respective Mayors and Councilors.

Meanwhile, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago while flagging off the ambulances at City Hall said equipping hospitals is necessary in all facilities to handle accident and other emergency cases in order to have a better health care system befitting the capital city. All this is in line with the smart city campaign where People’s wellbeing is a core pillar.

This is part of the joint ambulance system with Kampala Divisions where seven ambulances were flagged off by the Lord Mayor to bring the total of ambulances distributed to twelve. Lukwago said that Kampala needs at least 70 ambulances.

The ambulances cost around UGX 1.6Bn and each ambulance at about UGX 230m. KCCA had budgeted 150 million for each ambulance. Erias Lukwago the Lord Mayor has already asked for accountability from the Executive Director KCCA Dorothy Kisaka that will be tabled in Council. He also revealed that there is a letter from IGG requesting for the accountability of COVID-19 funds.

The KCCA leadership prioritized the purchase of ambulances to ease the pressure on the KCCA medical teams’ response to emergencies in real time and to curb preventable deaths arising from gaps in emergency services.

However, Lukwago says it is a pity seeing the capital city still having Health Center IIIs. According to Lukwago, Health Center IVs and Hospitals are what the city needs.

“Let Kampala’s level go up. Parliament and cabinet should look into this because it is the capital city. Kawempe, Kiruddu, Naguru used to be owned by KCCA but were taken over by government. The Health Center 4s in Kampala are in Kisenyi, Kawaala and Kiswa. The Health center IIIs are in Komamboga, and Kitebi. Imagine a whole capital city having only these facilities to cater for a huge population,” Lukwago wondered.

The ambulances are of two types namely B and C. The type B ambulances are equipped with diagnostic equipment, cardio-pulmonary support equipment, monitors and suction machine among others. The type C is more of an intensive care unit ambulance that comes with advanced life support equipment, the first of its kind in our fleet at city hall. All ambulances have air conditioners.

The Director Public Health Services and Environment at KCCA Dr. Daniel Okello thanked the government of Uganda for the support towards realizing this goal.

“We have an emergency response call center at city hall where you can call and request an ambulance for any emergency, our ambulance and emergency services are available 24/7” Okello said

“The ambulances have been labeled with a KCCA toll free number 0800299000, call the number in case of any emergency and our teams will respond immediately, the services are free of charge” Okello said.

The seven ambulances were acquired using funds that the government gave to the KCCA Covid19 Taskforce in 2021as a supplementary budget for COVID19 activities.