Uganda's corporate sector lays strategies to fight coronavirus

HEALTH

KAMPALA - The coronavirus (COVID-19) threat is real and this has got the corporate world in Uganda thinking hard.

On Wednesday morning, several associations and company heads met at the Kampala Serena Hotel and held a Corporate Sector Discussion on COVID-19.

 
The meeting was not only meant to discuss ways of complementing the health ministry's efforts in combating the disease but to also come up with stringent mechanisms should the virus cross over to the country.

Companies that attended the meeting included; Vision Group, Nation Media Group, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Cipla Quality Chemical Industries, International Medical Group, Uganda Bankers Association, MTN, Airtel and Kampala Capital City Authority.

 
Others were Jumia Uganda, Century Bottling Company Limited, Immigration Department, Safe Boda, Uganda National Roads Authority, National Water and Sewerage Corporation, and Vivo Energy Uganda among others.

"CODIV-19 is not a joking matter. We are facing a threat. It is very serious," said Robert Kabushenga, Vision Group's managing director.

Allen Kagina, the UNRA executive director

He added that there was a need for companies to step up their corporate social responsibilities by working collectively.

"There are those who have resources that you can put at the disposal of the government," Kabushenga challenged the corporate gurus.

Dr. Ian Clarke of IMG

The companies laid down several strategies and promised to provide logistical, manufacturing, security and safety support to the health ministry prior and in case of an outbreak.

The company leaders set up a volunteers' committee headed by Allen Kagina, the UNRA executive director. The committee members will meet regularly to support the ministry's interventions.

 
Pledges

Dr. Ian Clarke of IMG, pledged to provide two ventilators in case of institutionalized quarantine of any COVID-19 cases.

Telecoms said they would offer their call centres to help the ministry of health staff to disseminate information. They said they would also develop ringtones and short messages that have safety measures against COVID-19.

Dr Diana Atwine, the health ministry Permanent Secretary

The chairperson of Uganda Bankers Association, Mathias Katamba, pledged to have their banking services reliable should there be emergencies.

Barbara Mulwana, the chairperson of Uganda Manufacturers Association, said a taskforce was already in place to identify what the manufacturers can do to support the ministry.

Robert Kabushenga, Vision Group's managing director speaking

Maxine Dieudonne, the chief executive officer, Safe Boda, said they will complement the ministry by educating their riders and customers on prevention measures of COVID-19. Safe Boda together with Jumia also pledged to use their infrastructure to provide logistics such as delivering medicine and food.

Other companies such as Cipla, Century Bottling and Vivo pledged to provide enough supplies during this period.

 
Aceng pleased

Dr Ruth Aceng, the health minister , said she was humbled by the offers, adding: "For the first time the private sector is coming up to help us and I want to say thank you so much."

"COVID-19 affects everyone, it doesn't choose. You have seen how it has brought down economies. Things are not good," the minister added.

 
She said although the measures put in place might be tough, "please follow them".

Aceng said they had already spent $30m and appealed to the public to stop spending wrong information