Uganda gets sh3.4b for COVID-19 test kits

The health ministry has received a $1m (sh3.4b) grant from the Government of Denmark to boost the country's fight against COVID-19.

The money, which will be channeled through the World Health Organisation (WHO), is meant to procure 10,000 test kits to increase the testing capacity of laboratories at the national and regional level, particularly border points.

The grant signing ceremony was witnessed by health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Danish Ambassador, Nicolaj Hejberg, and the WHO representative in Uganda, Dr Yonas Tegegn, at the health ministry headquarters yesterday.

"This contribution is intended to increase the number of people being tested and reduce congestion at the border points to ease tension in trade within the East African Community," Hejberg said.

Part of the money will cater for additional personal protective equipment for frontline workers.

Uganda's COVID-19 cases have largely been recorded from truck drivers coming in from different border points, according to government records. "Uganda still has a great need for testing kits and this grant comes as a boost to our testing capacity," Aceng said, commending the Danish government for the support.

Tegeng reaffirmed WHO's commitment towards supporting Uganda in the fight against COVID-19.

He also commended Government for setting up a commendable response strategy, which he said has so far managed to suppress sustained community transmissions.

Uganda, as of June 23, registered eight new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 805. There are 717 people who have since recovered from the disease.