By Spy Uganda
The Office
of the Prime Minister on Wednesday unveiled
a citizen fundraising platform aimed at mobilising resources and funds to help
the National Task Force headed by premier Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, in the fight
against Coronavirus.
The online platform
which was developed by the National Information Technology Uganda (NITA-U), enables
Ugandans to donate money starting from Shs1,000
to the COVID-19 National Taskforce at their convenience, through using a mobile
phone, tablet or computer.
According to
NITA-U, all Ugandans will be able to
make contributions to the national fight against COVID-19 by visiting the
website, www.covid.pay.go.ug.
“Additionally,
one can see, in real time, a funds counter that shows a cumulative total of
contributions as they are made. Contributions can be either money or items. Also, once one makes the contribution, he/she
will be added to the honorable wall of contributors. It is this honorable list
of contributors that periodically gets applauded by the President, H. (gamepur.com) E Yoweri
Museveni,” NITA said in a statement.
The statement
also added that in case someone doesn’t
have a smart phone or access to a computer, they can make a contribution using
MTN Mobile Money by dialing * 165*4*4#ok.
The Prime
Minister, Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda said while commenting about the new
development that the platform will help
the National Task Force to boost the fight against COVID-19.
“We welcome
this ICT initiative that will bolster our fundraising efforts. Using the online
portal means Ugandans can still participate in the nationwide effort to combat
COVID-19 whilst maintaining the Ministry of Health guidelines of social distancing
and avoiding the use of cash,” Dr Rugunda said.
On his part,
NITA-U’s Executive Director, James Saaka, said that; “The COVID-19 citizen
fundraising platform will enable the participation of Ugandans who may wish to
make donations but are limited by mobility, fear, language, proximity, and
flexibility.”
During his successive
National Addresses on COVID-19, President Yoweri Museveni has often urged all
Ugandans and investors to make
contributions to the COVID-19 National Taskforce through donations.
