Minister Aceng Hails Japan’s Shs2.97Bn Donation of 27 Ambulances & 5 Fire Trucks to Uganda

By Alex Masereka Joel

Japan has donated 15 emergency vehicles to Uganda and signed a grant contract for the provision of 17 more ambulances, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s emergency response capacity. The official handover ceremony, held at the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday morning, was attended by Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, H.E. SASAYAMA Takuya, Japan’s Ambassador to Uganda, senior government officials, and representatives from the Uganda Police Force.

The 15 emergency vehicles include nine ambulances for the Ministry of Health, one ambulance for the Uganda Police Force, and five fire trucks for the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services. The additional 17 ambulances, set to arrive by June 2025, will bring the total number of vehicles donated under this initiative to 32.

Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng (R) looks on as Amb. Sasayama (L) and Ministry of Health’s Acting Director General of Health Services Dr Charles Olaro, display the signed agreements. (PHOTO by Alex Masereka Joel)

Lifeline for Uganda’s Emergency System

While receiving the vehicles, Minister Aceng, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support, stating that Uganda still faces a significant shortfall in emergency medical transport.

“We are very delighted to receive this donation. The 27 second-hand ambulances meet the specifications for Type 3 ambulances as per the EMS Policy, while the five fire trucks meet the standards outlined by the Police Directorate of Fire and Rescue Services,” Dr. Aceng said.

Health Minister Dr Aceng, Ambassador Sasayama and other officials pose for a photo after the signing ceremony. (Photo by Alex Masereka Joel)

She added that Uganda requires at least 517 ambulances to adequately cover its population, yet currently, the country only has 276 Type B and Type C ambulances.

“With the addition of these 27 ambulances under these two projects, the gap reduces to 214. The government is taking steps to fill this gap by the financial year 2026/27,” she added.

Minister Aceng further emphasized that the donated ambulances will be operated under the National Ambulance Service Policy, with technical coordination at regional referral hospitals.

“These vehicles will help improve the emergency response to life-threatening conditions, facilitate intra-facility and inter-facility patient transfers, and respond to disasters and epidemic outbreaks. The ongoing Ebola epidemic has underscored the need for specialized negative pressure ambulances, while the Mpox epidemic highlights the demand for neonatal ambulances,” she explained.

Police Grateful for Strengthened Fire and Rescue Services

The Uganda Police Force also received five fire trucks and one ambulance under the donation. In a statement delivered on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Byakagaba Abas, Mr Ocaya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support in enhancing their emergency response capabilities.

“We appreciate the existing partnership between the Uganda Police Force and the Japanese Government, which has enabled us to receive various forms of support to help us discharge our mandate of protecting life and property,” the statement read.

It should be recalled that in February 2020, the Uganda Police Force previously received four fire trucks, one rescue truck, and one command van from Japan, which facilitated the opening of fire stations in Kamuli, Namanve Industrial Park, Elegu Border, and Police Headquarters.

“With this latest donation, we are now able to allocate fire trucks to Kapchorwa, Wakiso, Nebbi, Kalangala, and Moyo, which will significantly improve our response time to emergencies,” the statement added.

The Uganda Police Force also requested additional capacity-building support, particularly in firefighter training.

“Under the JICA program, we had four officers trained in firefighting and rescue between 1996 and 2008, but two of them have since retired. We take this opportunity to request further support in training our officers,” the statement read.

Japan’s Commitment to Uganda’s Emergency Response

Speaking at the event, H.E. Sasayama Takuya, Japan’s Ambassador to Uganda, pledged his country’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s emergency response systems.

He stated that the donation was part of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), which has funded 293 projects across Uganda since its inception in 1992.

“Through this project, we will provide 17 second-hand ambulances to Uganda. Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, we hope that the provided emergency vehicles will be used appropriately and sustainably,” Ambassador Sasayama said.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining the donated vehicles and announced that the Japanese government would conduct a follow-up assessment in two years to ensure they remain operational.

“Our team will visit and check the condition of the vehicles two years after handover,” he stated.

The total funding for these projects amounts to USD 807,252 (UGX 2.97 billion), aimed at improving emergency medical services and disaster response capabilities across Uganda.

Expanding Emergency Services Across Uganda

According to the Ministry of Health, the 17 ambulances set to arrive by June 2025 will be allocated to Arua City, Mbale City, Nebbi, Apac, Kotido, Masindi, Mubende, Mityana, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Lyantonde, Kabale, Pallisa, Bugiri, Busia, and Buikwe.

The five fire trucks will be stationed in Kapchorwa, Wakiso, Nebbi, Kalangala, and Moyo to strengthen the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services’ response to fires and emergencies.

Looking Ahead

The Government of Uganda plans to fill the remaining ambulance shortage by FY 2026/27, in addition to phasing out Type A ambulances that lack the necessary equipment for emergency medical care.

“With continued support from partners like Japan, we are moving closer to achieving a fully functional emergency response system,” Dr. Aceng concluded.

Ambassador Sasayama was accompanied by a delegation from the Japanese embassy in Kampala.

All photos by Alex Masereka Joel