Broken-down ambulances and a severely deteriorated road linking Ntungamo's Nyamunuka Town to Bwongyera Health Centre III have left residents, especially pregnant women and critically ill patients, struggling to access urgent medical services, as the new leadership accuses the outgoing administration of mismanagement and alleged sabotage of government vehicles.
At Nyamunuka Town Council, two vehicles previously used as ambulances and council service vehicles remain parked and nonfunctional, despite having played a critical role in transporting emergency patients, including expectant mothers and COVID-19 cases, to Bwongyera Health Centre III.
Authorities report that vehicle registration number UAA 093N, once fully operational, has remained grounded since the 2026 general elections, with its tires now overgrown by grass. Key spare parts, including the carburetor, alternator and dynamo, are alleged to have gone missing.
A mechanic at Nyamunuka Town Council offices, Hassan Sebwami, said the vehicles were still operational during the election period.
“In the entire election, these two vehicles were operational.”
He further accused the outgoing leadership of removing critical parts, adding, “After all the time these vehicles have helped him, he reached an extent of removing the carburetor, alternator, and dynamo. How much are these honestly”
A second double cabin vehicle, registration UG6502M, is also reported to have suffered similar loss of essential parts, leaving both vehicles completely grounded and abandoned.
The newly sworn-in mayor, Yasin Katafa Byamukama, said the administration had been informed that the vehicles were already in a broken-down state when handed over.
“I was told that the double cabin was also brought on a breakdown,” he said.
Town council leaders are now accusing the outgoing administration, led by former mayor Sadara Kaibanda, of mismanagement and alleged deliberate damage to government property. The claims, however, could not be independently verified.
The LCIII leadership has vowed to restore the vehicles and return them to service.
“We have to repair these cars. They have to work. We can't even wait for the government to come and work on these cars. We can even lobby from government,” said Yasin Katafa Byamukama.
Attempts to reach the outgoing mayor for comment were unsuccessful as repeated calls went unanswered.
Beyond the vehicle crisis, residents say the road linking Nyamunuka Town to Katomi Ward and Bwongyera Sub-county, which also serves Bwongyera Health Centre III, has deteriorated into a dangerous stretch filled with potholes and deep gullies.
A resident, Shahidu Kabanza, said the poor road conditions have already contributed to accidents involving expectant mothers seeking medical care.
“From Nyamunuka to here when someone is pregnant, like 2 days back when one was coming to deliver here and got an accident due to bad road.”
The new LCIII chairperson and mayor, Yasin Katafa Byamukama, has pledged that road rehabilitation within the central business area will be among the immediate priorities of the 2026–2031 leadership term.
The administration has also promised to strengthen revenue collection and lobby for external support to improve service delivery across the town council.
As the leadership transition unfolds, residents remain caught between deteriorating infrastructure and urgent health needs, with many calling for swift intervention to restore both transport and emergency medical access in the area.