Mukono District Chairman Lukooya Issues Tough Conditions on Ambulance Deployment

Mukono District Local Government Health Department has held its final quarterly review meeting for the current financial year aimed at assessing performance in the health sector, reviewing achievements and challenges, and setting new targets to improve health service delivery across the district.

The engagement, held at the CAO’s Boardroom, brought together health facility in-charges, district health technical staff led by the District Health Officer Dr. Mulindwa Steven and Dr. Ddumba Isaac, political leaders headed by District Chairperson Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome, the District Female Councilor for Nagojje Sub-county and Secretary for Health, Education and Community-Based Services Hon. Annah Lubuulwa, Secretary for Finance, Planning and Administration Hon. Tonny Kalyango, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and other distinguished guests.

The meeting focused on evaluating health sector performance indicators achieved during the quarter, identifying gaps in service delivery, developing practical solutions, and strengthening accountability within the district health system.

While addressing participants, District Health Officer Dr. Mulindwa Steven welcomed all attendees and urged health workers to always remain committed to their duties. He informed health facility in-charges that the district political leadership led by Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome had intensified abrupt monitoring visits at health facilities to assess service delivery and staff attendance.

Dr. Mulindwa warned health workers against absenteeism and negligence, stressing that failure to report for duty could lead to disciplinary action and possible loss of employment. He nevertheless thanked health workers for their continued efforts in serving communities and encouraged them to remain committed toward improving healthcare services in Mukono District.

Dr. Ddumba Isaac also cautioned health workers against absenteeism and called upon them to cooperate fully with the district executive team to meet community expectations within the health sector.

The Secretary for Health and Community-Based Services Hon. Annah Lubuulwa described health workers as the backbone of Mukono District’s healthcare system. She encouraged them to remain dedicated, self-driven, and cooperative while executing their responsibilities.

Hon. Lubuulwa also communicated key directives from District Chairperson Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome focusing on accountability, integrity, professionalism, teamwork between political and technical leaders, improved service delivery, and reduction of patient waiting time at health facilities.

One of the major issues discussed during the meeting was the misuse and poor deployment of ambulances within the district. Health facility in-charges were directed to ensure that ambulances remain stationed in their designated operational areas in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines.

Leaders expressed concern that many ambulances are frequently parked at Mukono General Hospital and district headquarters instead of being distributed to constituencies where they are most needed.

Hon. Annah Lubuulwa cited a recent incident in Mukono South where an accident victim reportedly lost their life because an ambulance was unavailable to transport the patient to a health facility in time.

The meeting also resolved that electricity should be connected to staff quarters at Nakifuma Health Centre III to improve the living conditions of health workers.

In addition, district authorities were directed to install biometric attendance monitoring machines at Katoogo, Nakifuma, Kojja, Kasawo Health Centres, and Mukono General Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and staff supervision.

While addressing the meeting, Mukono District Chairperson Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome thanked health workers for their efforts in serving communities but strongly criticized those responsible for the misuse of ambulances.

Hon. Lukooya expressed frustration over the continued loss of lives during emergencies due to poor ambulance deployment.

“We shall not continue losing lives when government has already invested in infrastructure meant to save people,” he said.

The district chairperson warned that health workers responsible for failing to deploy ambulances to their designated health facilities risk dismissal from government service.

He further reminded health workers that government jobs are highly competitive and should not be taken for granted, noting that many qualified professionals remain unemployed despite possessing advanced qualifications.

Hon. Lukooya pledged to continue conducting surprise inspections at health facilities until there is visible improvement in healthcare service delivery across the district.

The district chairperson also appealed to the district technical team to consider integrating health workers currently serving under the MORE LAP program into the government payroll.

The NGO-supported program is reportedly nearing the end of its contract despite employing health workers who have been serving communities effectively.

According to Hon. Lukooya, the workers have already demonstrated commitment and capability in delivering quality healthcare services and therefore deserve consideration for permanent employment within the government health system.

The quarterly review meeting highlighted Mukono District’s continued commitment to improving healthcare service delivery, strengthening accountability, and addressing operational challenges within health facilities. Leaders emphasized the need for professionalism, proper ambulance deployment, staff supervision, and teamwork between political and technical leaders to ensure better healthcare services for communities.

District leaders expressed optimism that the implementation of stricter monitoring measures, improved working conditions for health workers, and enhanced accountability systems will contribute toward reducing emergencies caused by delayed medical response and improving overall health service delivery across Mukono District.