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,” said 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.
About Rescue.co
Founded in 2016, rescue.co has rapidly grown into one of the leading emergency rescue providers throughout East Africa. With over 45,000 evacuations completed and more than 2 million members, the company proves the power of its model every day. Its tech-driven, network-based approach—connecting over 1,000 first responders—ensures fast, reliable care.
Rescue.co partners with over 200+ organizations, including tour operators, schools, facilities, and insurance providers, to keep their employees, customers, clients, and students safe and secure. It sells an annual cover at rescue.co and a short-term cover called Safe Travels (rescue.co/safetravels).
A Case Example
Earlier this year, in January, one evening, the rescue.co dispatch center received a call requesting a facility transfer for a critically ill two-year-old patient. The child had presented earlier at a local hospital with a high fever, rapid breathing, and signs of distress. He was diagnosed with intussusception due to intestinal obstruction—a condition requiring urgent specialist care.
If left untreated, intussusception can lead to bowel tissue death, intestinal perforation, severe infection, and ultimately death. Prompt surgical or non-surgical intervention is critical to prevent these outcomes.
The case was classified as high priority, and an ambulance was dispatched. The crew arrived at the referring hospital, stabilized the patient, and prepared him for transfer, accompanied by his father.
Upon arrival at the receiving hospital, the child was admitted immediately to the pediatric unit. Coordination between dispatch, the transport team, and the receiving facility enabled a timely and efficient transfer.
Follow-up a week later confirmed that the child had responded well to treatment and was ready for discharge. The father expressed appreciation for the service provided.
This case highlights the importance of rapid coordination and response in pediatric emergencies, as well as the importance of emergency evacuation services to bring patients closer to more advanced healthcare. While the child was already at a hospital when the call came in, it wasn’t the right one – rescue.co was able to identify the nearest ambulance through it’s network, leverage its tech to dispatch and coordinate the case, and identify the right facility with the right capabilities to care for the child.
