ACHEST ED NAMED ON COVID-19 TASKFORCE

The Executive Director of the African Center for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), Prof. Francis Omaswa has been named on the 15-member committee appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to oversee Uganda’s National Response Fund for COVID-19.
The committee, is tasked with mobilizing, managing and ensuring transparency of the money and other donations towards the fight against the pandemic in Uganda.
Eng. Emmanuel Katongole, the Chairman Board of Directors, Uganda National Oil Company, was appointed to head the committee while General Duties Minister in the Office of the Prime Minsiter Mary Karooro Okurut was tasked with the political oversight role.
Other members are Robert Kabushenga, Managing Director of Vision Group, Apollo Makubuya a city lawyer, Kishor Jonanputra the chairman Picfare Group, Patrick Mweheire, the Regional Chief Executive Officer of Standard Group and Gustavas Bwoch, the Centenary Bank Board Chair.
Also on the committee are: Bishop Joshua Lwere from the National Alliance of Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches; Aga Sekalala, the Managing Director Ugachick; Dr. Ian Clarke, Chairman Uganda Healthcare Federation; Keith Muhakanizi, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury; Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Dorothy Kisaka, the Deputy Head of Delivery Unit
While unveiling the team, Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said: “This is a team of eminent people who will be looking after these resources.”
“The target is building the health sector and empowering the frontline workers in the health sector,” Dr Rugunda stressed.
Speaking about the appointment, Prof. Omaswa said: “I applaud the government of Uganda for engaging prominent members of the Private Sector in Uganda in the control of COVID-19. It is a good example to other countries. I will provide technical support to the Task force and reach out to partners.
As of April 8, 2020 the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Uganda were at 53. In a bid to stop the spread of the infection, the country is currently under lockdown with several businesses closed and movement of Ugandans restricted. President Museveni also announced a 14-day curfew that began on April 1, where Ugandans were ordered to stay in their homes from 7:00pm to 6:30am.
As all this is being observed, the Ministry of Health is carrying out surveillance for 18,860 people who travelled to Uganda through Entebbe Airport between March 7 -22 , 2020
Compiled by Carol Natukunda, Communications Specialist, ACHEST