Standard Chartered Bank Uganda has donated 10 million Ugandan shillings (5,880 U.S. dollars) to people gravely affected by a rare snow and ice-incurred disaster in many parts of China.

Lamin Manjang, the bank's Chief Executive Officer, made the donation on Thursday at a party organized by the bank for the Chinese community here who were celebrating the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, this week.

The bank's contribution brought the donations to 28.5 million shillings (16,765 dollars) raised at the function.

The Chinese community in Uganda raised over 8.5 million shillings (5,000 dollars) while Tumusime Mutebile, the governor of Uganda's central bank, Bank of Uganda, promised a personal contribution of 8 million shillings (4,700 dollars).

John Nagenda, the senior presidential advisor on media and public relations, also pledged 1 million shillings while Maggie Kigozi, the executive director of Uganda Investment Authority pledged 1 million shillings (588 dollars).

The persistent snow and ice-incurred disaster, the worst in 50 years in central, eastern and southern China has killed 80 people, destroyed property and resulted in huge direct economic losses.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2008)