On Wednesday 8th April 2020, His Excellency the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, announced the establishment of the NATIONAL RESPONSE FUND TO COVID-19.
He also appointed a Committee to provide leadership to the COVID-19 Fund. The members of the Committee are: –
Hon. Mary Karooro-Okurut, Minister of General Duties, OPM, Political oversight and Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, CEO, Cipla Chemicals who is the Chairperson.
Members: Robert Kabushenga, Apollo Makubuya, Francis Kamulegeya, Kishor Jobanputra, Patrick Mweheire, Bwoch Gustavas, Bishop Joshua Lwere, Aga Sekalala, Dr. Ian Clarke, Dr. Francis Omaswa, Keith Muhakanizi, Diana Atwine, and Dorothy Kisaka who is the Secretary/Covid-19 Fund Administrator.
The mandate of the Committee is to take responsibility for mobilising resources for the fight against the pandemic, COVID -19 and enable provision of relief to vulnerable persons.
The total of the Donations from Uganda citizens and well-wishers to date is Uganda Shillings, 21 Billion donated as follows; a. Cash donations; i. 7 Billion Shillings, cash at hand ii. 4 Billion shillings, cash in pledges b. Motor vehicles; 50 Vehicles valued at 5 Billion shillings c. Food stuffs, Medical equipment and others; all valued at 5 Billion.
The Covid -19 Fund’s GOAL is to raise 170 Billion shillings to be utilized by the Ministry of Health for Test kits, Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) and other needs of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Uganda.
The Fund will also raise 10 Motor Vehicles for each district of Uganda to enable our health workers to quickly respond to any emergency. On Friday 24th April, the President flagged off the first batch of 45 Motor Vehicles which have been donated to the Ministry of Health.
The donations in kind including foodstuffs and other medical equipment are handed over to the National Taskforce for COVID-19, to support the National Task Force in implementing its mandate.
Fellow citizens, the President has donated 1.4M, as part of his monthly salary to the Covid-19 Fund. He pledged that this deduction will be donated every month till the pandemic of Covid-19 is eliminated. This took place on 30th April and the cash donation was brought in person by the First lady and Minister of Education, Janet Kataaha Museveni to the Covid-19 Fund Committee at the Office of the Prime Minister.
OUR APPEAL now is that we emulate the President’s example and contribute part of our salary as a donation to the Covid-19 Fund. This appeal goes out to all salary earners, civil servants, business people.
