Uganda has received $300m (about Shs1.1 trillion) from the World Bank to help the country in the fight against Covid-19.
According to the World Bank, the money will be used “to boost the government’s capacity to prevent, detect and treat coronavirus, protect the poor and vulnerable population and support economic recovery.”
The World Bank says that without interventions, the pandemic which occasioned a lockdown is likely to send 3.15 million Ugandans into poverty. Already, 8.7 million Ugandans live below World Bank’s Poverty line of less than $2 (about Shs7,400) a day.
Since the mid-March lockdown, Uganda has had a phased opening up of the economy with public and private transport now allowed, though following Standard Operating Procedures (half capacity for public service vehicles).
Schools, churches, salons and bars are yet to re-open. Curfew of 6.30am to 7pm still stands and boda bodas are not allowed to carry passengers. Malls were re-opened but downtown shopping arcades are still on lockdown.
The World Bank money is an addition to $491.5 ( about 1.8 trillion ) approved for the country’s fight against the pandemic in early May.