Robinah Nabbanja has appealed to fellow Ugandans to use their COVID-19 relief money fairly well by buying food items (posho especially) that can last them for a longer time.
Prime Minister Hon Robinah Nabbanja has urged Ugandans who will receive the COVID-19 relief sum to use the money relatively well in buying food items (posho in particular) that can help sustain them for longer periods.
Nabbanja made the remarks in an interview with NBS TV on Sunday.
She said about two million vulnerable individuals notably in Kampala and Wakiso are expected to receive money by the end of this week.
But reminded that the sum is too low to be switched to buying things like meat and matooke. Nabbanja raised that families should look at purchasing more bags of posho and beans because these can serve them more days as they await the government’s decision on the 42 days.
“This money is strictly for food, to save lives. UGX 100,000 is not enough to eat meat and matooke, we are looking at that person who will say let me have posho for now,” Nabbanja said noting that the government has already compiled a list of names of those who qualify.
“Two million people will receive cash relief in Uganda. People in the villages are sorted, they have food. Ugandans are smart, they can look after themselves, the government just decided to lend a hand. The names of the vulnerable Ugandans are already being displayed. The process is taking long, allow us to be slow but sure. By Friday many will have received their money.”
In addition, she said those without phones and National Identifications will be requested to submit their names via the cash relief option pinpointing that the government has already compiled a list of names.
The prime minister noted that the new initiative was suggested to help reduce red tape tendencies that were witnessed last year when the government distributed food items directly to Ugandans.
“For the new initiative, the money will be handled electronically. Those saying we are using the yellow book in the cash relief should stop. I have opposition members in the task force and their decisions are considered. Let us not politicize this,” Nabbanja added.
“The money you have dubbed ‘Nabbanja money’ is not mine. It is government money, at least you can call it Museveni money. Don’t lift me so high Ugandans, I know you can do that and take away the ladder.”
She, however, urged Ugandans who are in a position to do so to raise a helping hand to the government. Nabbanja said any money donated to them this time round will be apportioned to buying vaccines.
She said they are planning to vaccinate from 19 years and above but reminded that in future they will also be targetting the younger groups because many are getting sick and dying as well.
“Some countries have vaccinated up to 6-year-olds. We ask Ugandans to give us more money because for sure the money you contributed was not misappropriated. We have paid all the medics who were demanding us. I ask the Ministry of Health to break down for Ugandans how the money was used,” she urged.
“Many contributed to COVID19, some gave cash and we decided to buy vehicles for all districts. We ordered for them from Japan and they are coming, some have arrived. Every regional hospital has beds and oxygen. They are not enough because we are overwhelmed.”
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