KAMPALA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda on Wednesday said government will start on Saturday to distribute relief food to the most vulnerable urban poor affected by the lockdown to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

Rugunda told parliament that the ministry of relief and disaster preparedness will provide food to at least 1.5 million people, including the elderly, sickly, and commuter taxi drivers in the capital Kampala and central district of Wakiso.

He said the package will include 6 kg of maize flour per head, 3 kg of beans per head, and salt.

"In addition, lactating mothers and the sick will receive 2 kgs of powdered milk and 2 kgs of sugar," said Rugunda.

President Yoweri Museveni on Monday announced that the government will distribute food to drivers and those who have been put out of work because of its strong anti-virus action of stopping public transport and other stringent measures.

"Without those activities, especially in the towns, such people may not be able to buy food. The government, after properly identifying these people will distribute food to them in the form of maize flour, beans, powder milk, sugar, salt, etc," he said.

Uganda has instituted a series of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, which include night curfew, banning of private and public transport and closing of border entry points. Public gatherings were also banned.

The country currently has 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the ministry of health. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)