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The new ambulance by Mapenduzi foundation (Photo by Biko Rombe) Biko Rombe Gulu City A newly acquired ambulance by Hon.Ojara Martin Mapenduzi MP Baedege-Layibi division under the Mapenduzi Foundation was blessed at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City, with Hon
The new ambulance by Mapenduzi foundation (Photo by Biko Rombe)
Biko Rombe
Gulu City
A newly acquired ambulance by Hon.Ojara Martin Mapenduzi MP Baedege-Layibi division under the Mapenduzi Foundation was blessed at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City, with Hon. Ojara saying the vehicle is intended to respond to growing demands for emergency and medical transport support among vulnerable people.
The ambulance was launched on August 8, 2026, at the Mapenduzi Foundation offices in Forgod Ward, Gulu City, before being brought to St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday, August 9, for a blessing by the parish priest, Monsignor Ciprian Ocen P’kech.
Speaking during the blessing ceremony, Ojara said the ambulance was acquired after several people, particularly elderly residents, repeatedly asked the foundation to extend its medical support to include transportation to health facilities.
“Many people, especially the elderly, were asking why the foundation didn’t buy an ambulance, but we had said our focus was to help with medication and treatment; the ambulance will come later. We now thank God the ambulance is here. We pray you bless it so that it helps people but not hurt them. We have a driver for this ambulance, and we pray God works through him to help others also,” Ojara said.
The congregation during the blessing of the ambulance.
He said the foundation has already given the ambulance driver several instructions on how the vehicle should be used, adding that its primary purpose is to serve people in need.
The ambulance forms part of a wider medical support programme operated by the Mapenduzi Foundation, which Ojara said he started during the COVID-19 period when he was serving as Gulu District Local Council Five chairperson.
He said the idea of establishing the foundation came after his family questioned how he would continue helping people after leaving political office.
“I told my wife that helping people doesn’t need a position first. That was also when I thought of opening this foundation to help the people whether or not I am around,” Ojara said.
According to Ojara, the foundation currently has Memoranda of Understanding with Lacor Hospital, Light Ray and St. Philip’s health facilities, while discussions are ongoing to bring St. Monica and Comboni Samaritan Health Centre into the programme.
Through its medical support programme, the foundation assists children aged five years and below as well as elderly people aged 60 years and above. Beneficiaries approach the foundation offices, where they receive voucher cards which they present at partner health facilities for treatment.
The partner facilities retain the treatment receipts before the foundation settles the bills.
Ojara said the programme, which started in 2021, has so far supported about 22,000 children and elderly people.
He said the newly acquired ambulance is expected to strengthen these efforts by providing additional support to people who require transportation to health facilities.
Monsignor Ciprian Ocen P’kech, who blessed the ambulance, commended the initiative and urged people to encourage acts that directly benefit communities.
“The MP has bought an ambulance to help his people. Someone may ask why he spoils money on such, but that’s not spoiling money; that’s how God uses and speaks through people. It will be good if someone is helped to access medical service through this. It is good to help people, for God seeks such as will help,” Monsignor Ocen said.
Beyond healthcare, Ojara said the foundation is also supporting education through a scholarship programme targeting secondary school students.
He said the foundation has resolved to recruit 50 students every year to ensure that beneficiaries continue receiving support throughout their secondary education.
This year, 50 students were selected from secondary schools, with the foundation planning to assess their academic performance by December before determining the next group of beneficiaries.
Ojara said the foundation deliberately chose to focus on secondary education because it believes parents can more easily manage primary school education, while university education is currently too costly for the foundation to support on a larger scale.
The foundation is also preparing to hold a medical camp on August 25 and 26, 2026, targeting a larger number of people than last year’s event.
Last year, the medical camp, conducted in partnership with the Upper Foundation, supported about 4,500 people. Ojara said this year’s camp will bring together more doctors, including specialists from Kampala and abroad, to provide medical services and handle complicated cases.
The camp will be held at Gulu Public School, while Gulu Regional Referral Hospital is also expected to host a similar medical activity.
Hon. Mapenduzi while presenting iPad to Monsignor Ocen
During the Cathedral Mass, Mapenduzi also presented two iPads to Monsignor Ocen to support his pastoral work, saying the devices would help the priest carry out his duties in an increasingly digital environment.
“Today we have also brought iPads in working condition. We know this digital era, things are online, so we present these to you, parish priest, so that they will help you in your work as you shepherd us,” Ojara said.
The ambulance blessing marks another addition to the Mapenduzi Foundation’s community support initiatives, with the foundation saying its broader focus remains improving access to healthcare and education for vulnerable members of the community.