Ugandan ministers have started a fundraise drive to contribute Shs1m each to the fight against COVID-19.
The fundraise drive which is being spearheaded by Ruth Nankabirwa, the Government Chief Whip has so far seen 47 ministers contribute Shs1m each for 6months to fight the pandemic.
So far, the ministers have contributed Shs282m which was handed over the COVID-19 National Response Taskforce chaired by Emmanuel Katongole. Nankabirwa said that she will continue to reach out to all the remaining 31 ministers who have not yet signed the form for deduction of contribution to do so.
Cabinet decision to contribute in the fight against COVID-19 comes after President Yoweri Museveni in April committed half of his salary to the Taskforce. Indeed, the Shs1.4m was thereafter handed to the Taskforce by First Lady Janet Museveni. Museveni earns a paltry Shs3.6m per month, of which 20% goes to the NRM Party.
“We are happy that the Executive have done their part, and hope that the Speaker of Parliament will also rally MPs to do so, while the Chief Justice also rallies the judiciary to contribute,” Katongole said.
So far, the total collections by the National COVID-19 Task Force stands at Shs32.5 billion.
