Uganda launches food aid initiative to South Sudan

Dec 11, 2014

Senior Presidential advisor on military affairs Gen. Salim Saleh and Kampala businessmen under their body umbrella Afri- Aid have raised sh300m to buy food for people in war ravaged South Sudan.

By Henry Sekanjako and Joseph Mutebi

Senior Presidential advisor on military affairs Gen. Salim Saleh and Kampala businessmen under their body umbrella Afri- Aid have raised sh300m to buy food for people in war ravaged South Sudan.


Speaking during the fundraising ceremony at Serene Hotel in Mutundwe, Kampala on Wednesday, Gen. Saleh urged Ugandans to support South Sudanese saying before the outbreak of the war, many Ugandans benefited from South Sudan economically by selling their goods there.

“In good and bad times, we need to stand by our brothers in South Sudan. When South Sudan was still peaceful, Uganda benefited a lot by selling our goods and services to South Sudan,” said Saleh.

Saleh explained that before the fundraising drive for the people of South Sudan, Kampala business woman Esther Mpumuza approached him and advised that there was need to pray for the people of South Sudan and also mobilize financial support for them.

“When I was invited to support the peace process in South Sudan, I immediately jumped on board to support this initiative. Peace and poverty eradication should not be left to only the military but even civilians should help,” he noted.

The Chairman Afri-Aid Pastor Robert Kayanja said; “This is the time for Africans to bring whatever you have so that we can support our people who are living a bad life in South Sudan. As the chairman Afri-aid I have to make sure Ugandans raise sh2b to buy food for the people in South Sudan."

Pastor Kayanja noted that Rubaga Miracle center had organized a special church service where different gospel artists will perform to raise funds for the cause.

He noted that on December 17, President Yoweri Museveni will flag off the first truck of food to South Sudan.

“Iam going to reach out to all the South Sudanese living in Uganda so that they can also raise some money towards this cause. Iam also going to engage singer Jose Chameleon for a concert to raise money,” he added.

During the maiden fundraising ceremony at Serene Hotel Mutundwe, Kampala business man Godfrey Kirumira who is the treasury Afri-aid was the first to contribute towards the drive.

He was followed by Sudhiru Ruparellia and Esther Mpumuza the owner of Serene Hotel among other contributions from different Kampala tycoons.
        

 

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