BY JOACKIM KULE
A section of residents in Kasese district has started demanding for an explanation from the Members of Parliament about the fate of some ambulances that they had bought to the electorate shortly after assuming their respective offices.
The residents argue that the Members of Parliament across the district procured the ambulances to serve the population but have since disappeared from the community to serve their intended purpose.
After the 2016 General Elections, Hon. Jackson Mbaju Kathika, who had won the Parliamentary seat for Busongora County South bought an ambulance to his electorate but the residents claim that it has disappeared from the community.
Other Members of Parliament who procured ambulances by then included Hon. Godfrey Atkins Katusabe for Bukonzo County West and Hon. Harold Tony Muhindo for Bukonzo County East.
After the 2021 General Elections, Hon. Ferigo Kambale, the Member of Parliament for Kasese Municipality bought an ambulance but its whereabouts are not clear, Hon. Florence Kabugho, the Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament bought an ambulance but later caught fire when it was transporting a patient to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and is currently parked in Kasese town.
For Busongora County North, Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa, who had earlier bought an ambulance before becoming a Member of Parliament, bought the second one but according to the residents, one of the ambulances is grounded down and parked at Kabatunda Health Centre III in Kabatunda – Kirabaho Town Council.
Mr. Enock Kaujjo, a resident of Saluti in Nyamwamba Division of Kasese Municipality says he is wondering why the ambulances that were bought to them by the Members of Parliament are no longer seen hence demanding for an explanation from the project initiators.
Mr. Asanairi Baluku Sine, a resident of Bukumbia village in Nyakabingo Sub-county alleges that the ambulances are currently of no value to them, arguing that their owners have failed to maintain them.
According to him, the residents have continued grappling with transport challenges despite the efforts of the Members of Parliament to procure ambulances to them.
Mr. Eric Maate Mithundira, a concerned resident of Ibanda –Kyanya Town Council, argues that the ambulances were bought as a tool to please the voters for a short time.
Recently, the acting Kasese District Health Officer, Mr. Stephen Bagonza regretted the disappearance of the ambulances donated by the Members of Parliament which according to him had started helping the residents.
However, Messiah Radio did not independently verify the allegations by the concerned residents, pledging to separately contact each of the Members of Parliament to explain the fate of their ambulances and the next course of action.
ENDS