KAMPALA — Sanlam Uganda has donated UGX. 285M to the Government’s National Response Fund COVID-19, to help combat the global pandemic and its effects on the country.
Sanlam Uganda is an umbrella brand that comprises Sanlam General Insurance Uganda, Sanlam Life Insurance Uganda and Sanlam Investments East Africa Ltd.
The financial contribution, which was donated by the three companies as part of their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, will go towards the purchase of protective wear for frontline health workers, including face masks, face shields and PVC aprons.
Speaking during the handover, Mr. Gary Corbit, CEO of Sanlam General Insurance Uganda said Sanlam as a Group is proud of and appreciates the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Uganda to combat the spread and contraction of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“We are therefore pleased to stand with Uganda in this time of great need by extending UGX. 285 million (US$75,000) to the National Response Fund to help combat COVID-19 and its impact on the economy and our people.
Dr. Diana Atwiine, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, extended the governments appreciation of the solidarity and support extended to facilitate the safe working conditions of health workers at the frontline.
The protective gear to be purchased would be a great opportunity for us to minimise the risk of health workers getting infected, and to provide the much needed safety in these uncertain times, she noted, adding that each time a symptomatic person goes to a health center, whether or not its COVID-19, the health workers attending to them do so not because they are fearless, but because they are making a sacrifice for the country something they will be able to continue to do thanks to this donation.
Mr. Nicholas Lutakome, Acting CEO of Sanlam Life Insurance Uganda thanked President Museveni, and the COVID-19 National Task Force for the tremendous work they have done in fighting and preventing the spread of the pandemic among Ugandans.
Life is the most precious gift to mankind and preserving it is everyones duty, given the opportunity,” Lutakome said adding that the virus is a threat to this gift and as a business, Sanlam Uganda commits to joining hands with every Ugandan and the Government of Uganda to ensure the country and its citizens live beyond this pandemic.
In his remarks, Mr. Mubbale Kabanda mawa Mugalya Country Manager of Sanlam Investment Uganda said Sanlam is devoted to conducting its business in a responsible manner a position cascaded from the Groups sustainability vision through CSI.
“This donation comes on the backdrop of many other CSI initiatives the Group is involved in in Uganda and at Group level,” he added.
However, Uganda in particular has registered only 54 positive infection cases, some recoveries and no deaths so far, which is a position worth recognising.
