On Thursday, the authority issued a notice to the public indicating that following the screening tests that were conducted early this week, one of the staff members was found positive and is currently undergoing case management.
In regard to masks, the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit in the Ministry of Finance has queried the Shillings 4,946 cost for each procured mask saying that it is expensive and also the absence of witnesses to some contract signing.
The Accountability Unit says that the Ministry was allocated Shillings 35 billion to procure and distribute to Ugandans aged above 6 years non-medical masks. Following this allocation, the Health Ministry on 9th July signed contracts worth Shillings 32.5 billion with 16 suppliers to produce 11 million masks but this was later revised to 21.4 million masks at a cost of 57.3 billion.
The Defence Secretary Jeremiah Asiimwe was on found selling the same masks at 500 Shillings each. He had sold over 100 masks at the time of his arrest.
Amuru is listed as one of the COVID-19 hotspots in the country due to its proximity to the Uganda – South Sudan border. Up to 125 positive cases of COVID-19 have been intercepted in Elegu Town Council in Amuru district since March 2020.
Up to 35 former child soldiers who attained vocational training in fashion design and garment technology have been contracted by Terra Renaissance, a Japanese based, Non-Governmental Organization to produce face masks.
