By Eye Media Uganda | Feb 13, 2026
An ambulance previously donated to Luuka District by former Minister for the Presidency and former Luuka Woman Member of Parliament, Esther Mbayo, has reportedly been withdrawn from the district following her defeat in the January 15, 2026 general elections.
The vehicle is currently at Oboja Garage along Oboja Road near Evangel Church in Jinja city, where the inscription “DONATED BY HON. ESTHER MBAYO” is being erased as it undergoes repurposing.
Mbayo first lost the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag in the primaries to Annet Nabirye, before suffering a final defeat in the January 15, 2026 general elections, effectively ending her tenure as Woman MP for Luuka District.
Sources within Luuka claim the withdrawal of the ambulance followed shortly after her electoral loss, with critics alleging that the move was driven by political anger after voters rejected her at both party and national levels.
The ambulance had been publicly handed over to serve the health needs of Luuka residents, particularly in emergency response. Its removal has sparked criticism among community members who argue that donations made to the public should not be conditional on political loyalty or electoral outcomes.
Political observers say the act, if confirmed, sets a troubling precedent. Leadership, they argue, requires consistency and maturity — especially after electoral defeat. Removing a donation from the very people it was meant to serve risks portraying public service as transactional rather than genuine.
“It sends a wrong message,” one local leader commented. “Supporters stood with her for years. Even if they voted differently, public property meant to save lives should not be taken away.”
Efforts to obtain an official explanation from Mbayo regarding the relocation of the ambulance were ongoing by press time.
The development has reignited debate in Luuka about political accountability, the ethics of public donations, and the responsibility leaders carry beyond electoral cycles.
Eye Media Uganda will continue to follow the matter and provide updates as more details emerge.
