The Ministry of Health has delivered 5,225,854 face masks to Kampala Metropolitan Area, Wakiso district and Mukono district.
However, these masks have not yet been doled out to target recipients. According to the ministry, authorities in these districts requested for more time to systematically plan on delivering the masks to the residents.
“Therefore, much as the Ministry of Health concluded the procurement and delivered facemasks to the above-mentioned areas, our teams are still working with the respective local governments and urban authorities to ensure that these masks are distributed to the population living in these areas,” reads the statement.
To-date, the Ministry of Health has distributed 13,455,657 face masks to 30 districts across the country.
The districts that have benefited are Amuru, Kyotera, Buikwe, Arua, Adjumani, Isingiro, Rakai, Busia, Moyo, Tororo, Gulu, Hoima, Ntungamo, Kakumiro, Masaka, Kumi, Moroto, Lira, Mbarara, Yumbe, Soroti, Kamuli, Kassanda, Omoro, Jinja, Kiruhura, Kabale, Kampala Metropolitan Area, Wakiso and Mukono.
The distribution of facemasks started from the border districts and followed by districts with cities and municipalities, then districts along the cargo truck transit routes and finally others will follow.
In all the districts where the Ministry of Health delivered face masks, the Local Government structures have facilitated the distribution of the masks to the people.
In the same vein, the leaders in Kampala Capital City have been urged to expedite the distribution of the masks using the structures to curb the threat of COVID-19 transmission in the city.
The Ministry of Health also appealed to the general public to adhere to the measures instituted by President Museveni and the Standard Operating procedures issued by the Ministry of Health in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Uganda.
“Please practice COVID-19 preventive measures such as handwashing with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer frequently, maintain a social distance of at least 2 meters and to always wear a face mask when in public,” reads the ministry’s statement.
“Ensure that the face mask covers your nose and mouth. DO NOT let the mask hang on your neck like a necklace, or hang on your ear. The mask must be worn correctly at all times to protect you and your dear ones from getting infected by COVID-19.”
