President Museveni Calls For Self-Sufficiency Among African Countries.

President Yoweri Museveni on the 22nd of October flagged off 282 pickup vehicles at the Kololo independence grounds, handing them over to district Chief Administrative Officers.

“From the 1960s NRM always believed in Africans having capacity to solve their problems. The doctrine of self- sufficiency is the correct one. We have been able to survive the Covid-19 effects because we have been self- reliant especially in food and industrial products. Self- sufficiency is the way to go. The 282 vehicles are from the spirit of self- sufficiency.” Said a clearly jubilant head of state

The vehicles, which cost US$22,000 each, were purchased with funds from the Covid National Response Fund.  The fund, which is chaired by Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, received a total contribution valued at Shs 69.2 billion of which Shs34.2 billion was received in form of goods in donation

The President also revealed the fact that the entire committee of the fund works on a volunteer basis.

He commended and encouraged the culture of making bulk purchases directly from manufacturers a thing he says would get them making purchases at way much cheaper prices.

He extended his appreciation to Prime Minister Nabbanja, Prime Minister emeritus Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Minister of Health Jane Aceng and State Minister for health Margaret Muhanga for the job they have done well since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

“Because of your visionary leadership Uganda is among the best in the region and the World in managing the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said

She thanked Ugandans and friends for the vehicles and other donations. She also hinted on the fact that the president personally led the negotiations hence the good price of the vehicles.

Former Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister Mary Karoro Okurut also commended  the low death rate attributed to Covid-19 in Uganda.

The minister of Health, Jane Aceng revealed that as of Thursday, Uganda had 125,537 cumulative infections, 96,469 recoveries and 3,194 deaths. She added that the positivity rate has dropped from 21% to 2%. She added that the death rate today was between 2 and 5 as compared to 57 deaths per day at the peak of the second wave. She revealed that Kampala was leading in these infections, followed by Teso sub region, Acholi, Lango, Ankole and the Central region.

She didn’t leave out the fact that Uganda has to-date got 4 million vaccines in stock.