Uganda Has Only Half of Required Ambulances — Minister

By Skika reporter

Uganda is operating with only about half of the ambulances it needs, exposing major gaps in the country’s emergency response system, according to Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dr Aceng revealed that the country requires a total of 590 ambulances to adequately serve its population.

These include 510 Type B ambulances for basic life support, 54 Type C ambulances for advanced or intensive care, six air ambulances, and 20 marine units. However, Uganda currently has just 296 ambulances—285 Type B and 11 Type C—leaving a shortfall of 294 vehicles.

The minister made the remarks at the Ministry of Health headquarters during the handover of 23 second-hand ambulances donated by Japan. She noted that several regional referral hospitals still lack advanced life support ambulances, limiting their ability to handle critical emergencies.

Dr Aceng explained that ambulance needs are calculated based on population and administrative structures. Government policy requires one Type B ambulance per 100,000 people and one Type C ambulance per 2 million people. Type B ambulances are deployed at constituency level, while Type C units serve regional facilities.

Despite the shortfall, she highlighted progress made in recent years. Ambulance coverage at constituency level has improved significantly—from less than 2 percent during the 2020/2021 financial year at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to 54 percent in the current financial year.

This improvement has contributed to reduced mortality in emergency departments, particularly for obstetric and neonatal cases, which account for the majority of ambulance transfers. Ambulances have also played a critical role in managing disease outbreaks, including the Ebola outbreaks of 2022 and 2025, by enabling rapid evacuation and containment.

The Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Sasayama Takuya, said the donation reflects Japan’s continued support for strengthening Uganda’s emergency medical services, including training and collaboration with the Uganda Police Force.

Beneficiary areas for the newly donated ambulances include Buikwe, Masindi, Pallisa, Oyam, Apac, Bushenyi, Kabale, Nebbi, Ibanda, and Hoima City. Officials noted that the vehicles were mainly allocated to areas with relatively good road networks due to their low ground clearance.

Health officials on the ground say the shortage has real consequences. In Oyam District, which has a population of about 500,000 but only two ambulances, delays in response have been linked to preventable deaths.

District Health Officer Dr Thomas Malinga cited a recent maternal death caused by delayed transport after an ambulance was unavailable.

The government of Uganda also faces challenges beyond numbers. Misuse and mismanagement of ambulances have been reported, with some vehicles failing to reach their intended destinations.

A 2025 Auditor General’s report revealed that 15 out of 18 ambulances reportedly sent to Moroto Regional Referral Hospital could not be traced.

Additional issues include a shortage of trained personnel, limited operational funding, and poorly maintained vehicles. Several ambulances at major hospitals have also been found to fall below required standards.

Dr Aceng said the government plans to address these gaps within the next three years by strengthening the National Ambulance System and the Emergency Care and Referral System. In the upcoming financial year, authorities intend to procure 50 Type B ambulances and two Type C units as part of ongoing efforts to improve emergency healthcare nationwide.