MTN has donated three brand new Nissan Hardbody pickups to national task force to help in the COVID-19 fight and handed them President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
The donation was made at the Kololo Independence Grounds where the president also officially flagged off a fleet of 45 donated vehicles. This was in the presence of both the President and Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.
After thanking MTN and other donors including Ruparelia, and Mandela Group, President Museveni said that it was in the government’s plans to have at least 10 cars per district.
“I want to build a crisis response fleet for the Ministry of Health. I won’t allow these vehicles to be misused by officials just by driving around. We want 1350 cars so that each district gets about 10,” Mar. Museveni said.
On another sad note, the President hinted on the painful news of truck drivers from Kenya and Tanzania who tested positive for the virus. He said that it was now crucial that these truck drivers be tested before they set of while waiting for results at the border points and before they proceeded or relay driving.
“There are three issues the ministers are discussing, testing these people before they come and the drivers wait for results before they proceed. We need the goods to come in but at the same time we don’t want the disease,” he said, saluting Ugandans for obeying guidelines.
“I am very glad about the response of the Ugandans,” said the President, noting that “I have been discussing with our scientists and they are sure a vaccine can be developed.”
“They are working hard to develop one but that may take some months. The real answer to Coronavirus is to develop a vaccine”.
The President thanked prior all the donors who may extend their hands in the corona fight and again urged MTN and Airtel to make donations of cars instead of data as they needed cars the most to execute their mandate during the lockdown.
