(Posted 25th April 2025)
Rescue.co has become the first company in Uganda to offer
fully integrated emergency response services, bringing a new era of speed, reliability, and
coordination to ground medical, air, and roadside emergencies across the country.
With a track record of reducing response times to under 15 minutes, Rescue.co began
transforming Uganda’s emergency care landscape from 2023. Now, the company offers a
comprehensive suite of services—including ambulance response, air evacuation, and roadside
assistance (security and towing)—supported by a centralized emergency dispatch system that
connects users with the fastest available help.
“We are excited to expand our lifesaving services throughout Uganda, leveraging our extensive network and cutting-edge technology,” said Caitlin Dolkart, Managing Director of Rescue.co. “We work closely with local responders to onboard and upskill them, integrate with hospitals to provide the right care, and collaborate with government institutions to build a seamless emergency response ecosystem that ensures every Ugandan gets help in minutes, not hours.”
In just under a year, the company has completed more than 1,000 lifesaving evacuations from
Kampala, Mbarara, Gulu and several other locations—500 of those just this year—with an
average nationwide response time of 16.7 minutes. Rescue.co has also upskilled over 100 first
responders, upgraded 20 ambulances to the highest standard, integrated more than 100
hospitals into its system, and built strong partnerships with public agencies to improve
healthcare delivery.
Recently, the company launched its Safe Travels product that supports inbound tourism at an
event alongside the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). Safe Travels extends
short-term emergency cover to tourists via a nationwide air evacuation network (both fixed wing
and helicopter) and includes coverage for remote and hard-to-reach destinations such as Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls, Mgahinga Gorilla National
Park, and Lake Bunyonyi. It also enables night-time evacuations, supported by ground
ambulance coordination and roadside assistance.
Tourists are increasingly drawn to Uganda’s remote national parks and off-the-grid destinations.
Services like Rescue.co’s Safe Travels ensure that tourists can explore the country with
confidence, knowing emergency support is available, even in the most remote areas.
Following the launch of community-based ATTA for Action, former ATTA CEO Jon Danks was
in Kampala to attend the launch. “I’m delighted to be working alongside the Rescue.co team at
this stage of the pan-African development, because beyond the robust Ugandan medical
assistance and evacuation product, lies a transparent mechanism that also delivers unparalleled support for the community”. Working across several levels of the Uganda travel industry, the Rescue.co team have consulted the Uganda industry on notable airlift challenges. Danks
continued, “Rescue.co underlined the key areas of community support in meetings with the Uganda Government Ministry of Tourism, UTB and throughout DMC engagements, to underpin the strength of its market position for medical rescue in East Africa”.
The launch of Rescue.co services in Uganda marks a critical milestone in the company’s
broader mission to close the emergency care gap for the 5 billion people worldwide living
without effective centralized 911/999/112 services. By combining real-time dispatch technology,
a growing responder network, and data-driven coordination, Rescue.co is creating a new
standard in emergency access.
“Across the region, we’ve seen how delays in emergency care can have devastating
consequences. In Uganda, where access to coordinated emergency services has been limited,
there’s a real opportunity to make a difference. By bringing together technology, responders, and local partners, we can ensure that help gets to those who need it most—when it matters most,” concluded Caitlin Dolkart, Managing Director of Rescue.co.
Rescue.co continues to expand its responder network. Ambulance, aircraft, tow truck, roadside
assistance, and security providers interested in joining can contact info@rescue.co.
Businesses and customers looking for emergency support for fleets, offices, facilities,
customers, or guests can also reach out via the same contact or visit www.rescue.co.
Rescue.co is a proud member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). For a
limited time, fellow AUTO members can access a 20% discount on customer journeys
commencing by 31st December 2025, if registered with Rescue.co by 15th May 2025.
