The government of Uganda has launched a nationwide distribution of face masks as one of the measures to control the spread of coronavirus.
First Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali, on Wednesday flagged off mass distribution of face masks at Ministry of Health Headquarters in Kampala.
Minster for health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said the distribution is set to start with communities in border districts of Amuru, Kyotera, Adjumani, and Rakai.
The move follows President Museveni’s directive during his 14th nation address that all Ugandans aged six and above would be given free face-masks after people raised complaints that they cannot afford buying masks.
The mask must be worn all the time one is in public in a bid to protect themselves against the spread of coronavirus.
According to Dr. Aceng, government will spend Shs 2 billion to distribute 30 million face masks countrywide.
The ministry of Health has so far received 750,000 masks bought at Shs 79 billion from private manufacturers with each face mask bought at Shs 2,400 according to the minister.
The masks are made up of 3 layers with the outer layer made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton, the middle layer made up of chiffon, and the inner most layer is made of cotton.
Uganda reported a total of 665 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday with 119 COVID-19 recoveries and no death.
