Opposition MPs demand gov’t to halt Covid-19 relief distribution exercise

By Francis Lubega

1^st July 2021

The Opposition in Parliament has called for an urgent recall of Members of Parliament from recess to discuss on the procedure used by the government while deciding the groups of vulnerable Ugandans to get relief funds during the ongoing 42 day lockdown.

Parliament was sent on a two weeks holiday by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among to enable the fumigation exercise of the parliamentary premises.

While speaking to journalists at Parliament, opposition MPs led by the Shadow Minister for Information also Mityana Woman MP, Joyce Bagala said that government needs to explain the criteria followed in identifying the categories of beneficiaries of the Covid-19 relief funds which they say was unfair.

Government is planning to give some vulnerable Ugandans living in cities and municipalities across the country 100,000/= Shillings including among others; taxi drivers, conductors, saloon operators, artists, DJs, and bodaboda riders.

The MPs say it is unfair because there are other categories of people who were left out like journalists, private teachers in villages, bodaboda riders in villages and older persons who depended on their caretakers living in cities.

They have therefore appealed to the leadership of Parliament to urgently recall Parliament to discuss the relief funds before July 6th when recipients are to start receiving the money.

Meanwhile, they have also proposed for th increasing of the money from 100,000 to at least 300,000 shillings per beneficiary.