COVID-19: UNRA, 9 Chinese firms donate to vulnerable Ugandans

Apr 08, 2020

Weipeng said they are eager to fight together with the government, private sector and communities to stop the virus.

HEALTH  VIRUS  DONATION 

KAMPALA - Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) together with nine Chinese road contractors have donated medical supplies and household items to vulnerable Ugandans as a way of keeping them safe against COVID-19.

Receiving the items from China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Uganda Limited on Monday at the authority's office in Kyambogo, UNRA's head of enforcement, John Ssejemba, appreciated the donations from contractors, who he described as stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic.

Ssejemba said the CCCC donation of 20 boxes of JIK sanitising liquid soap, 60 mattresses, 100 mosquito nets and 100 boxes of bottled water, was part of the donation worth millions of shillings that UNRA has so far received from several construction firms.

"We appreciate CCCC and other companies that have come up to support us in this crisis. Before this donation came in, we had earlier received 1,000 anti-bacterial mattresses, 214 blankets and 215 mosquito nets, which we delivered to the ministry of health," he said.

Ssejemba noted that UNRA was now spearheading a campaign to mobilise a minimum of 50 tonnes of posho and 15 tonnes of beans to support the government to feed the vulnerable Ugandans who have been severely affected by COVID-19. The food items will be delivered to the office of the Prime Minister.

He said UNRA staff also contributed towards buying the items, adding that they bought 100 boxes of bar soap which would be donated to residents of Nakapiripirit through the area Woman Member of Parliament, Esther Anyakun, to help the locals in washing their hands.

After delivering the items, Ju Weipeng, the CCCC Country Manager said; "with the support of government and Ugandan people, CCCC has been running in Uganda for many years. Uganda has become our second hometown and we cannot just watch our hometown being in danger of this COVID-19 virus and do nothing."

Weipeng said they are eager to fight together with the government, private sector and communities to stop the virus. "We hold the faith that unity is strength. United, we can overcome everything."

The other Chinese firms are; China Railway Number 7, Zhongmei Engineering Group Limited, China Railway 18th Group, China Railway Number 3, Chongqing International Construction Corporation, China Wuyi Company Limited, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and China State Engineering Construction Corporation. Ssejemba said other stakeholders that contributed include; Dott Services Limited and Mota-Engil Africa.

Ssejemba, who commended the health ministry for a good job done towards protecting Ugandans, urged members of the public to play their part in the fight against COVID-19.

"Government is doing whatever is possible to protect us from COVID-19. It is important that we do our part. Stay home, wash hands with soap and water and use sanitisers. Do not shake hands, do not hug, keep a physical distance, do not cough in public and seek medical attention when not feeling well," he concluded.

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