The government of Uganda has turned a deaf ear to pleas of citizens trapped in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the deadly Coronavirus. From recent statistics, the virus has killed over 490 people and some 24,363 others are confirmed as having contracted the virus.
Reports from the government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, suggest that President Museveni and the government are opposed to evacuating the group saying the Chinese government are in position of containing the virus from within.
President Museveni received a brief about the outbreak from the Chinese ambassador to Uganda Zheng Zhuqiang at State House in Entebbe and now believes that the government of China has already put in place mechanisms to contain and prevent the transmission of the disease.
“I now understand this disease. I’m going to write about it so that the public is sensitized on how to prevent it,” Museveni said, citing the need to have an intense sensitization campaign in Uganda to alert the public about the deadly outbreak and tell them means of avoiding contracting it.
“Our government is doing everything possible to contain the virus. We’ve built a record 1,000-bed Huoshenshan Medical Facility in the city of Wuhan to secure the safety of the people.” Mr Zhuqiang told the President.
In the other news, the government has approved a request for funds worth Shs 25 billion to help in preparedness efforts against the Coronavirus. Uganda has not yet recorded a case of the virus, but has quarantined a number of people that traveled to China.
Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng confirmed the development to the media, asserting that although the Ministry of Finance had told parliament on Tuesday that the money wasn’t available, it was finally approved during a meeting held on Wednesday afternoon.
