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State Minister for ICT & NG Hon. Peter Ogwang has on Saturday begun his one week long regional tours to East and Northern Uganda visiting district COVID-19 taskforces along high risk areas.
The purpose of the field tours is to assess and appraise the efforts of district COVID-19 taskforces in sensitizing and disseminating information to the masses about the novel pandemic.
Hon. Ogwang this morning started his tours by visiting Busia District taskforce where he encouraged the district leaders to continue using media platforms to reach out to the masses saying, “as of now, we can only win this pandemic through information dissemination.”
“We must continue utilizing airtime allocated to government on various media houses especially radios to disseminate information in regards to COVID-19 guidelines. Radios are the most reliable means of communication because 90% of the population have access to them,” Ogwang said.
However, the Busia district leadership asked the minister to reign over Jogoo FM, the only radio station in Busia on allegations that the radio is “too political” and doesn’t give government officials the mandatory 1hour per week space to promote their programs. Apparently, the radio only hosts opposition politicians and that even the messages on COVID-19 is not well disseminated despite the radio being among those that were recently facilitated by the Ministry of ICT to air COVID-19 messages.
Ogwang promised to bring the matter before the regulatory body -Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) for investigation.
The Minister later visited Busia One Stop Border Point where all truck drivers are being screened and tested for COVID-19. It is from this border point that the truck drivers are cleared to transport goods from one point to another. Ogwang promised to provide more internet-enabled computers to the medical officers at the border especially those who enter bio-data of the truck drivers before they are tested.
He said that use of computers will minimize use of paper work which puts the medics at higher risk of contracting the virus. The Minister then proceeded to Tororo district and later wound up the day at Mbale where he was warmly received by Chairperson of NRM Women League Lydia Wanyoto, LCV Chairperson Bernard Mujaasi and other members of the District Taskforce. He warned the authorities against use of excessive force while enforcing the presidential directive especially on curfew, face masks wearing, social distancing and use of public transport.
“I urge you to continue implementing and ensuring that presidential guidelines on COVID-19 are not abused. While enforcing these guidelines, please use minimum force, stop beating or harassing our people,” he said. Tomorrow (Sunday), the Minister will visit District taskforces in Bukedea, Kumi and Soroti.
