When Coronavirus (COVID-19) broke out, the Ministry of Health provided toll free numbers (0800100066, 0800203033, and 0800303033) for the general public to call and get assisted with everything concerning COVID-19.
Over time as the number of COVID-19 cases increased in the country, these lines have been congested with a huge number of calls coming in from the public to report suspected cases, inquire and get information about the virus. People have been complaining that the numbers re always busy.
This has forced the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)’s National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) to partner with a local ICT company called Veritas Interactive Limited to create a USSD helpline that people can use as an alternative to the earlier provided helplines.
The launched USSD code is *260#, and it is accessible on all mobile networks. Running that code helps you;
- Request for a COVID-19 test
- Report a COVID-19 case
- See COVID-19 District personnel
- List of COVID-19 testing centres
- RDC contacts
- Get COVID-19 SMS alerts.
By press time, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases stands at 48, and they are responding well to treatment, according to the Ministry of Health.