HEART OF GOLD: 31 vehicles and UGX4.6 billion donated to government Covid-19 fund

This is in response to President Museveni’s call to the private sector to contribute to government’s efforts to fight the disease.

President Museveni today in his 4^th National Address held at Nakasero State Lodge, in Kampala said that so far government had realized 31 vehicles, UGX3.28 billion and USD343,000 (UGX1.3 billion).

This does not include the other items in kind such as food, fuel, medical equipment and water.

“I thank these contributors so much,” said Mr. Museveni.

He said he would advise that the money be allocated to creating a fleet of 1,350 vehicles- 10 per district to boost Ministry of Health’s mobility and speedy response during this epidemic and any other future similar needs.

Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, the Minister in charge of General Duties, under the Prime Minister’s Office also told the president that several entities were still donating to the cause and that the president would be updated every two days.

Karooro, together with businessman and Quality Chemicals Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Katongole head a 15-member public and private sector committee in charge of fundraising. The overall National Taskforce on Covid-19 is chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.

President Museveni also told the country that to date 5,649 people have been tested, out of whom 54 have tested positive and 5,595 tested negative.

“Seven (7) of those people were discharged recently from Entebbe hospital another 8 are due for discharge from Mulago hospital today or tomorrow. The patient at Adjumani hospital will be discharged today (April 14^th 2020 as well),” he said.

“I salute our doctors and health workers for a commendable work,” he added.

He also said that government is following up the 18,000 people that entered the country through the Airport between the 7^th and the 22^nd of March, 2020.

He also said that the government has started testing long distance truck drivers, transiting through Uganda and that to date 372 entering through the Malaba entry point had been tested and were all found negative.

He announced that Ugandan scientists were in the process of developing cheaper Covid-19 tests, that could go for US$25 per test.

Government extends lockdown for a further 21 day

Regardless of the successes in fighting the disease, President Museveni said the government would extend the 14-day lockdown which ends tonight by a further 21 days so as to deal with the challenges that remain.

“Given the successes we have achieved and also the challenges that remain, the Government has decided to keep the stay-home decision for another 21 days, starting tomorrow, the 15^th of April, 2020 up to the 5^th of May, 2020.  This is in order to give ourselves more time to study the situation for a longer period. Therefore, all the measures previously announced, will stay in place for another 21 days. This additional 21 days, will definitely, help us to defeat this virus decisively, or if not defeated totally, to prepare better as to how to cope with it,” he announced.