COVID-19 donations hit sh31b mark

HEALTH COVID-19

KAMPALA - The National COVID-19 relief taskforce has raised another sh2b, bringing the total funds raised so far at sh31b. 

This was revealed by Emmanuel Katongole, the Fund chairman, this week while receiving donations from individuals and organisations, including Fountain Publishers Ltd and Toyota Uganda Limited.

The fund which was initiated by President Yoweri Museveni on April 8, still has a long way to hit its target of sh170b.

"We are still faced with a challenge of raising another sh139b to meet the proposed target of sh170b. We call upon more well-wishers, corporate bodies and organizations to donate generously in this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," Katongole said.

He revealed that they received two more new vehicles, bringing the total to 67. These include 42 pickups, 7 ambulances, a 6.5-tonne truck and 17 other makes of vehicles.

The donations have been supervised by the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, flanked by Mary Karooro, the Minister in charge of General Duties, who also provides political guidance to the team.

Donations

On Wednesday, Toyota Uganda Ltd handed over a brand-new Hino 500 series truck valued at sh225m to the National COVID-19 taskforce. 

Toyota also donated sh20m cash and 6.5 tonnes of maize flour worth sh15m to the front-line health workers. 

The items were delivered by the Toyota Uganda managing director Mahmood Omar who said they donated the items in appreciation of the healthcare workers and the government towards the fight against COVID-19.  

Meanwhile, Fountain Publishers Ltd, company director James Tumusiime donated a total of 47,000 textbooks worth sh354m.   The textbooks include science, mathematics, English and Social Studies and others of 10 different local languages to benefit learners in primary level.

Tumusiime tasked Karoro Okurut with delivering the items to the education ministry officials who will distribute them to the vulnerable learners.

All the donations were received by Karooro at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Kampala.