Amuru runs out of food at COVID-19 quarantine centre

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Amuru district has run out of food for its coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine centre at Pabbo Senior Secondary School in Pabbo sub county.

Michael Lakony, the Amuru district chairperson says the 10 tonnes of relief food that was delivered from the Office of the Prime Minister in April has been eaten by the 242 suspects who were in isolation at the centre and other vulnerable people in the district.

The suspects include contacts of positive truck drivers and community members who tested positive for the virus from within the district.

Lakony noted that the centre currently has 25 people and over ten security personnel who need to depend on the less than 50 kilograms of maize flour and 10 kilograms of beans left. He disclosed that the remaining food is not enough to feed the suspects in quarantine for the next two days.

Geoffrey Oceng Osborn, the Amuru Deputy Resident District Commissioner told Uganda Radio Network – URN that Amuru receives a large number of COVID-19 suspects because of its proximity to Elegu border post where several truck drivers have tested positive for the disease.

He added that illegal entry and exit to South Sudan by the business community through the porous borders have also led to increase in the numbers of COVID-19 patients being confirmed among the community members.

Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Primary Health Care – PHC however said that the concern will this week be communicated to the Prime Minister`s office for immediate redress.

She noted that Amuru can possibly run out of food because it also has foreigners at its quarantine centre who are not taking care of their expenses.

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