Government distributes 8 million masks

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, President Yoweri Museveni in one of his addresses to the nation said that the government would distribute face masks to its citizens.

Over eight million Ugandans in 29 districts have seen this come to fruition, as more are expected to receive face masks from the government, in the ongoing distribution exercise.  

While appearing before the Government Assurance Committee, Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health (MoH), said the ministry has so far distributed over eight million masks in 29 districts, but she expressed fear that districts are keeping masks in stores expecting ministers and the director-general to go back and distribute them at the village level.

Her response comes after Members of  Parliament raised questions about the slow distribution of face masks in the country.

Dr Atwine also justified the slow process to the fact that MoH has not yet received money for the face masks from the government.

"We presented our supplementary budget and we are still waiting, once we have the money with us, the process will be faster. Production is slowing down because those producing the face masks are asking for money that we don't have," she said.