Churches, Mosques join food distribution efforts

COVID-19 | RELIGION              

The Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has joined government in a countrywide campaign to fundraise and solicit for relief food from their followers and later distribute it to the needy and vulnerable people affected by the country's lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign was recently launched at St. James Church of Uganda, Masajja A-Zone in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso district. The event was presided over by state minister for disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru.

 
It was attended by members of the IRCU, led by the current chairperson, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda. Others were Bishop Joshua Lwere, the Overseer of the Pentecostal Churches in Uganda, Pastor Joseph Sserwadda, and others.

Minister Ecweru said President Yoweri Museveni had transformed from being a President to a parent during COVID-19 pandemic, compared to other leaders in the world who he said have instead been hit by panic.

 
He said Museveni had exhibited good leadership and applauded religious leaders for accepting to work with him which he said had saved lives. 

Ecweru said the food the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) was distributing to the public was fit for human consumption after being tested by Uganda National Bureau of Standards before it leaves their stores in Nakawa.

According to Ecweru, by Wednesday last week, his team had given food to about 800,000 people in Kampala and were remaining with 200,000 to hit their target of 1million.

 
Ecweru, however, said rural Wakiso will not be given food noting they have alternative sources of food but they will stop in urban areas.

Bishop Lwere said their system of food distribution would differ from that of government because they give a full package to every family as opposed to individuals in each family.

Their package, he said, includes milk, maize flour, sugar, beans and soap. He appealed to followers to contribute food and other items through their churches and mosques, which will be surrendered to the National task force on COVID-19 or district task forces and later given out to the needy.

 
Mufti Mubajje cautioned girls to avoid truck drivers who he said were a big risk as far as coronavirus is concerned.

He said every truck driver should be treated as a potential source of infection until he is tested and proved to be free of COVD-19.

He applauded President Museveni for his wise leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.