Ministry of health releases UGX 1.8 bn to districts to fight Covid-19.

By; Charles Katabalwa

18^th Sept. 2020

The Ministry of Health has released 1.8 Billion Shillings to 50 districts to boost the fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Uganda has so far registered 5,380 cases and 60 deaths of COVID 19 pandemic.

However, several districts are struggling to trace contacts, manage patients and contain the spread of the virus citing lack of funds.

Now the Ministry has released the funds to 50 districts who have registered highest COVID-19 cases.

According to circular issued by Geoffrey Sseremba on behalf of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health to Chief Administrative officers, the funds will be used to support surveillance, contact tracing, sample collection and case management for COVID 19 pandemic.

Sseremba directed the CAOs to liaise with the office of the Accountant General for issuance of cash limits so that funds are made available for COVID- 19 response.

Some of the districts include Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono which have each received 102 Million Shillings. Amuru, Tororo and Buikwe each were allocated shillings 50 Million Shillings.

Other districts that include Luweero, Arua, Nakaseke, Kiryandongo, Mbarara, Lwengo, Kabale, Masaka, Pader, Katakwi, Moroto , Bundibugyo, Kitgum, Gulu, Kasese, Lwengo, Kisoro, Bushenyi among others received 31 Million Shillings each.

Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka, the LCV Chairperson Nakaseke district acknowledged receipt of the money and district council sitting on Thursday approved the supplementary budget for COVID 19 response to cater for the unfunded gaps the include enforcement, awareness and inadequate masks among others.