The ambulances in question are Suzuki registration number UAA 147N and Double Cabin Pick-up registration number UG 1826M. The Suzuki ambulance was donated to Mparo Health Center IV in 1998 while a double cabin pick-up ambulance was donated to the Health Center IV by President Yoweri Museveni in 2005.
However, the vehicles were taken to Kampala by Dr Patrick Tusiime, the former Kabale District Health Officer four years ago for mechanical repair and never returned. Dr Tusiime is the current Commissioner In-charge of Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health.
Locals however say that after repair, the Suzuki was taken to Ruhija Health Centre III in Rubanda District while the double cabin pick-up was personalized by Dr Tusiime.
The locals, led by Frank Kyerere Besigye, were joined by Hebert Kabafunzaki, the state minister for Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations to demand for action from the office of the Chief Administrative Officer. They accused the CAO Abert Matsiko Mutungwiire for conspiring to divert ownership of the ambulances.
Savior Taremwa, a concerned resident from Sindi cell, Mparo Parish in Rwamucucu Sub County says that they want the Chief Administrative Officer who is the custodian of the District property to explain why the ambulances were not returned to Mparo Health Center IV.
Taremwa says that the absence of an ambulance has complicated the life of locals who go through hardship to refer patients and expectant mothers to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
Frank Kyerere Besigye, the Rwamucucu Sub County National Resistance Movement-NRM party Chairperson accuses Mutungwiire for failing to force Dr Tusiime to handover the ambulances when he was handing over office in July 1.
Minister Kabafunzaki says that he has personally seen the double cabin ambulance carrying Matooke in Kampala. He also tasked Mutungwiire to explain why he is not bothered about ordering Dr Tusiime to return the ambulances.
Mutungwiire says that the Suzuki ambulance was taken to Ruhija Health Centre in error adding that this would be rectified soon. He adds that he is not aware that Dr Tusiime is using the double cabin pick up to do his personal business.
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Tusiime were futile as his mobile phones were off.