MPs caution Gulu hospital against charging patients for ambulance fuel

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Lawmakers have warned Gulu Regional Referral Hospital administrators against imposing an undue financial burden on patients seeking to use ambulance services.

Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee (Central) raised the concern on September 15, 2026, during an interaction with hospital officials led by the accounting officer, Dr Peter Mukobi.

The engagement was anchored on Auditor General (AG) Edward Akol’s report on the hospital for the 2024/25 financial year.

The concern followed an admission by one of the hospital administrators that patients are sometimes asked to contribute towards fuel costs due to inadequate funding for ambulance operations.

The regional referral hospital’s fleet comprises four ambulances, while the entire region has 15.

Every quarter, the Ministry of Health provides fuel facilitation for these ambulances, while the hospital also has a quarterly fuel budget.

Masaaba Karim, MP Mbale industrial division and Vice Chairperson PAC Central

“The fuel might not be enough depending on the demand. At times, you have like 6-12 trips. Sometimes we have consulted our partners to help us with fuel. Partners are organisations we work with. But at times, also the patients who can,” the official hinted.

MPs react

The practice drew criticism from several MPs, including Karim Masaba (Mbale Industrial, Independent), who questioned the basis for requiring patients to contribute towards the service.

“It has grown into a habit. I don’t know in other places, but in Mbale, on several occasions, patients are always told that if they want an ambulance to take you to Kampala, they have to part with maybe sh1 million or sh600,000,” Masaba pointed out.

“I am told; I don’t know how true it is. Some of your (public hospitals) drivers have now made it a business where, for them to move, they need money from you. He (driver) tells you, 'Give me money for fuel', and when you do, he will take your patient,” he illustrated.

Masaba added that such dire circumstances are compelling voters to turn to their leaders for solutions.

“Because he knows when Hon. Mudiimi gives me an ambulance, I will squeeze him to the wall and tell him I have no fuel. Or I have this little top-up for me,” Masaba explained.

“One of the challenges we are facing as Members of Parliament is that voters are pressuring us to buy these ambulances. For example, in Mbale, I have good ambulances. We got some ambulances, but there are times you are told they do not have fuel, tyres, and enough drivers,” he admitted.

Masaba told the officials to desist from the practice and, if it is a matter of inadequate resources, engage Parliament for a permanent solution.

“But we shouldn’t charge our people. Many of them are desperate and do not have the money or resources,” he cautioned.

“Your partners, the patients, shouldn’t be looked at as a source of finance for these ambulances,” he emphasised.

MPs react

Commenting on the subject, Fredrick Angura (Tororo County South) clarified that their inquest into the matter was not a fault-finding mission.

“On the issue of ambulances, you are very right. Almost all of us run ambulance services in our constituencies, maybe apart from a few. When we ask this question, we are not looking for mistakes from you. Rather, how we can continue to improve amid various circumstances and challenges,” said Angura.

“Almost daily, my ambulance has to go to Mbale. But these patients that are referred that my ambulance transfers are from the hospital. So, my question has always been: if a patient has been referred, isn’t it proper that the referring entity provides and facilitates their movement to the next destination?” he wondered.