KAMPALA – The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has expressed skepticism over the ruling government’s capacity to provide free facemasks to all Ugandans.
President Museveni, while easing the lockdown measures to contain the spread of coronavirus last week, said his government would provide free facemasks to all Ugandans of six years and above. He said that the masks would be ready by June 8 when public transport is supposed to resume.
But FDC President Patrick Amuriat Oboi said despite a promise by the Museveni administration to supply free facemasks which would be a reassurance of the safety of citizens while in public, there are no signs that the two weeks deadline given for delivery of the government provided masks will be met.
“We are particularly concerned by the announcement last week by the minister of Health Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng who informed Ugandans that there is no funding for face masks,” Mr Amuriat said on Tuesday, May 26.
“It is also disturbing that a number of community COVID-19 cases are beginning to surface arising from contacts of truck drivers and yet the protective equipment is still not in sight,” he added.
Mr Amuriat said that the “actions of the Museveni regime in making false promises and now asking the public to provide their own face masks is an act of dishonesty and a betrayal of Ugandans citizens hope in overcoming COVID-19.”
“This comes at a time that Ugandans are eagerly waiting for accountability for the colossal amount of money collected from loans and donations that remain uncounted for over two months since it’s release,” he revealed.
“We encourage our own FDC members not to be duped by Mr. Museveni empty promise, but make their own masks and wherever they can donate some to members of their communities who cannot afford to buy them. At the National level we will this week be launching a campaign named ‘PROVIDE A MASK, SAVE A LIVE’, aimed at raising face masks to Ugandan citizens free of charge, given the challenges faced by or unwillingness by those supposed to provide them free of charge,” he added.
