COVID-19: President Museveni to engage, banks, electricity, water on bill payment during this critical time
In the new Presidential directives issued yesterday Monday evening 30th, March 2020, Mr Museveni promised Ugandans to engage the banks, electricity and water companies on bill payment in the wake of COVID-19 crises.
President Museveni in his message said that it’s not logical to disconnect water or electricity on account of non-payment during this time of shutdown or rather to seize properties on account of non-payments.
“We are going to discuss with Banks, electricity companies and water companies in connection with the loans and bills, many people have with these units.”
President Museveni also mentioned that the wake of coronavirus has stimulated new industrial opportunities.
He says he is currently working with IMF and the World Bank to see that Uganda sets up a fund in UDB to accelerate industrialization through import-substitution and export promotion.
He, however, said that African countries should use this time of coronavirus crisis as a lesson to see that excessive dependency on imports is dangerous, there’s need for self-reliance by producing some of the goods locally.
“On the account of this pandemic, some sectors of the economy are suffering such as the tourism industry, the entertainment industry, the transport industry, etc. however, as I said earlier, new opportunities are emerging in this misfortune. You have seen how the demand for sanitizers, face masks, bicycles, etc., has stimulated new industrial opportunities. Working with the IMF and the World Bank, we shall set up a fund in UDB to accelerate industrialization through import-substitution and export promotion.” Museveni said.
The President in his message promised to issue food items to a section of Ugandans who live hand to mouth who will not be able to buy food during these 14 days shutdown.
He said the government will identify the people and right away begin issuing foodstuffs like maize flour, beans, powdered milk, salt and sugar to each family.
“The government anti-coronavirus action of stopping public transport and other measures have put the drivers and other people out of work. Besides, many of them live hand to mouth? The daily bread. Without those activities, especially in towns, such people may not be able to buy food. The government after properly identifying these people will distribute food to them,” Museveni said.
Meanwhile, Museveni directed Police to arrest the opportunistic and irresponsible politicians who try to distribute food for cheap popularity.
He says such kind of activities brings many people close to one another which may expose them to the risk of spreading and contracting the virus.
The 14 days shutdown saw banning of private vehicles and all non-food stores exempting drugs stores and pharmacies both human and animals including agricultural products.
Government vehicles, trucks carrying food, boda bodas, tuk-tuk, bicycles are allowed to operate and stop at exactly 7 pm when the curfew will begin.
However, the curfew exempted cargo transporters, including Lorries, pick-ups, train and planes.
He said government vehicles will be pooled and deployed at the District Health Officers (DHOs) and the Division of Kampala commanded by the District Medical Officer except for UPDF, Police, Prisons or UMA vehicles. Their drivers will camp in a tent ready to respond to emergencies.
For health emergencies, like mothers in childbirth or very sick people, the President asked people to seek permission from the RDC to use their private means of transport to take the person to the hospital.
