215,000 face masks have been delivered to Bududa District in line with the government’s program to provide free reusable masks to all Ugandans aged six years and above, to facilitate the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
In June 2020, Uganda commenced the mass distribution of face masks with a target of 750,000 masks distributed to the border districts of Adjumani, Amuru, and Kyotera among other districts. According to the Health Ministry, more than 30 million masks will be distributed across the country.
In Bududa district, the distribution of masks had delayed for seven months due to the overwhelming demand from other parts of the country.
Now, the Bududa District Communications officer Patrick Kibeti Nabutanyi says that the masks have been dispatched to most sub-counties and distribution will start this week.
Kibeti urged the people of Bududa to put on the masks after receiving them, cautioning those who intend to sell them.
The masks will be distributed to 214,000 people, according to George William Wopuwa the Bududa Resident District Commissioner and head of the district Covid-19 task force.
Local authorities have been urged to exhibit a high level of vigilance and ensure that the masks are strictly given to residents as people from the neighbouring districts may take advantage to benefit from the program at the expense of the residents.
Every person will be expected to wear a face mask while in public places. Five people succumbed to Covid-19 in Bududa District while more than 40 others tested positive and were quarantined but later recovered.