Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have rubbished allegations by Katikamu South Member of Parliament, Hassan Kirumira, that patients in ambulances with political party affiliations are denied access to military hospitals.

Kirumira recently claimed that patients in ambulances with particular political party affiliations are being denied service and access to military hospitals and are asked to fuel the ambulances.

However, in a statement released by UPDF dated December 4, 2022, defence spokesperson Felix Kulayigye clarified that ambulances and patients are not denied access to the hospitals as alleged by Kirumira.

“We treat everyone and we never ask for party affiliations. Why should we stop ambulances if they are doing the right job? However, we reiterate our resolve that security protocols must be respected to access military medical services,” he said.

The defence spokesperson noted that 78% of the people that military hospitals throughout the country treat are civilians.

Kulayigye said UPDF cannot demand fuel from MPs to fuel ambulances because the vehicles get sufficient fuel to keep them operational 24/7 due to the nature of their work.

He said all vehicles including ambulances have to be checked before they enter military installations worldwide and Uganda is no exception.

He, however, said in some cases, some actors would wish to access such facilities without the scrutiny of the guards, something that is unacceptable as it may allow easy infiltration by probable security threats or their sympathisers.

Kulayigye said the outpatient department of the General Military Hospital was deliberately put close to the quarter guard where triage is done for everyone including soldiers.

“If the patient wants an ambulance, they pass through the security requirements and walk to the outpatient department, which is not 50 meters away. For those who are in the ambulance and too sick to walk, including pregnant women, or have been referred, they continue in the ambulance unhindered,” he said.