Minister asks investors to join fight against coronavirus

The Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment, Ms Evelyn Anite has asked investors in the country to join the government in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic. Uganda has 52 confirmed cases in the country.

The minister who was talking to Daily Monitor yesterday said more resources including funds, vehicles, maize floor, protective gear and food items have been collected from the investors.

“Covid-19 is a public enemy and we are asking investors to join us in fight against the pandemic,” Ms Anite.
“So far we have received four vehicles from Tian Tang Group of companies and one ambulance. Two are from one of the dominant Chinese investors in Uganda, Mr Paul Zang of Tian Tang, another two from Chinese groups in Mabala Mabel, and one ambulance from Hariss International, Riham.”

She said the move to mobilise vehicles was aimed at providing at least a car to all the districts in Uganda during the war against the virus.

The minister said the cars were going to be put in the pull of the other cars of Ministry of Health to help with the challenges in the health sector, after defeating Covid-19.

Asked why government is not considering injecting in repairing several vehicles lying in districts to boost the response, Anite said:

“I agree that government should repair the hundreds of cars which are grounded, but you see in the fight against coronavirus, time is of great essence any minute you lose in this fight just exposes the life and lives of our people to the relentless virus and death so we have to deal with the virus in timely and decisively.”
She said she was doing the mobilisation as someone who works directly with the investors and also as member of the national task force in the fight against Covid-19.

She said hundreds of millions which are cash contributions had since been amassed following the call to owners of over 4,900 factories that are operating in the country.

The minister applauded among others, Mr lphesh Jiyani, Nandlal Thummer and Mansukh bhai Koradhiya for the great contribution they made to boost the response processes.

“Hariss International that makes Riham gave Shs100m, Shs100m was contributed by Morden Distiller, Modern Gas and Modern Allumnium Ltd. Other contributions were Shs150 from Yogi Steels Ltd Group by Alpesh Jiyani, Nandlal Thummer and Mansukh Bhai Koradiya. Techno Ltd has also contributed Shs200m,” the minister said.
Mukono Chinese factory operators donated over Shs28 million , according to information shared to this newspaper by Minister Anite.

Mr Yasser Muhammed, the co-founder and chairman of Hariss International Limited- RIHAM, who donated an ambulance said in a tweet:
“It is our pleasure to support the Government and Ugandan community in these hard times.”

Although the minister is constantly updating public on this development, Ugandans are showing mixed reactions.
“That’s right. Ugandans are very warm hearted people but the trouble is with you politicians....I’m sure most of this stuff will be carried to private homes and supermarkets of politicians, civil servants,” Mr Ayebazibwe Makorogo tweeted in response.

Another tweet Jackie Oloya said:
“Why is everyone receiving and announcing matters relating to Covid-19? Why not leave it to Dr Jane Ruth Acheng and Diana Atwine or Ruhakana Rugunda as National Taskforce. Please observe protocol.”

Mr Egweu Simon Joseph said in a tweet: “Congratulations. You’re one committed minister in seeing Uganda grow rapidly.”

CONTRIBUTIONS

Donations. She said hundreds of millions which are cash contributions had since been amassed following the call to owners of over 4,900 factories that are operating in the country.

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