By The Insight Post
Residents in Mukono appeal to the District Woman Member of Parliament, Hanifar Nabukeera to scale down charges attached to her ambulance bought to support people during emergencies.
Nabukeera is among the other members of parliament across the country who bought ambulances to fill the health service gaps in their areas.
Such ambulances are easily identified on personal pictures or political party colours. For stance, the one for Mukono District Woman MP is branded with both her picture and that of Robert Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform Principal.
Residents claim that charges to access the ambulance are too high for them to afford. Jonan Mukasa says was asked Shillings 500, 000 for travelling from Mukono to Jinja City to respond to emergencies.
Other residents claim being asked about Shillings 250, 000 from Mukono to Kampala. Richard Musiige, also a resident, notes that they have now chosen traveling on boda bodas and using public means of transport which are not safe.
Nabukeera bought the ambulance in June last year to ease emergency responses and referral of Covid-19 patients. However, after the district health team declined to operationalize it, she has been patterning with private health centers in Mukono town to manage it.
Such facilities include Social Doctors Nabuti, Mukono Medical Center and Pentagon Medical Center. Our efforts to speak to Nabukeera are still unsuccessful.
The Insight Post has established that other ambulances owned by politicians in Mukono charges slightly low. For instance, a distance from Mukono town to Kampala is charged between 120, 000 to 150, 000.
Other Members of Parliament owning ambulances in Mukono district include the Former Mukono South MP, Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga, Nakifuma MP, Fred Ssimbwa and Betty Nambooze of Mukono Municipality.