Uganda’s Security Minister Donates Second Ambulance to Rural Rukungiri Amid Criticism
RUKUNGIRI, Uganda – Retired Major General Jim Muhwezi, Uganda’s Minister of State for Security, has donated a modified Toyota Noah minivan to serve as a fully-equipped ambulance for Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri District. The handover, which took place on November 4, 2025, is intended to enhance emergency health services, particularly for pregnant women and other residents in the remote area.
The donation marks the second such initiative by Maj. Gen. Muhwezi in his Rujumbura County constituency, following a similar donation to the Bugangari Health Centre IV last year.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Minister stated, “Bwambara’s fully-equipped Ambulance is here to provide compassionate and quick assistance. Our dedicated Rapid Response Team is committed to supporting urgent needs, especially for…”
However, the donation has been met with skepticism and criticism online. Prominent figures, including former Health Minister Walter Mwesigye, have publicly questioned the vehicle’s suitability for the region’s rugged terrain and its compliance with national ambulance standards. The critics argue that a modified minivan may not be robust or adequately equipped to handle the challenging roads and the specific demands of medical emergencies, spotlighting the persistent and systemic challenges facing rural healthcare in Uganda.
The debate underscores the tension between local government efforts to provide resources and the critical need for those resources to meet operational standards to be truly effective.
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