VHTs to Benefit as district approve 305 Million COVID Supplementary Budget

By KAMUSIME BANABASI

Village Health Teams, commonly known as VHTs who have been instrumental in the fight against killer diseases like the Ebola Hemorrhagic fever and now Corona Virus have a reason to smile after the Kisoro district Council yesterday approved a covid-19 supplementary budget of 305,200,000 Ugandan shillings meant to boast the fight against COVID 19.

While presenting the budget before the district council for approval at Seseme girls’ secondary school, the district Chairman Abel Bizimana said that the money is a government fund meant to facilitate the district covid-19 task force to fight covid-19.

Mr. Bizimana explained that VHTs and Village task forces in all 388 villages of Kisoro have been considered to benefit from the same fund.

The Kisoro district deputy Chief Administrative officer, Byiringyiro Rita explained that over 155 million shillings has been designed as covid-19 response fund at the village level while 150 million will be shared by the district task force and lower local governments.

A section of councilors including Bahinyuza Festus, a LC5 councilor representing Nkuringo town council and Agaba James an LC5 councilor representing southern Division moved against the motion on grounds that district councilors are not reflected in the budget.

The Councilors also accused the district task force for not reaching the communities to sensitize masses about COVID-19.

Councilor Agaba James asked councilors not to approve the budget until councilors get copies of the supplementary budget for scrutiny.

District Speaker Amos Hakizimana and the LC5 Chairman, Abel Bizimana turned furious against Agaba James accusing him of influencing district councilors yet he is from Municipality.

Hakizimana Amos asked Beishubeho Luis, an LC5 councilor representing Kirundo Sub County to second the Motion.

Beishubeho seconded the motion on grounds that these covid-19 respond funds are meant to facilitate people who are directly engaged in the fight against Covid-19 but not councilors whose leadership is a service to their voters.

COVID 19 is real so please remember to observe the SOPs from the Ministry of Health including washing your hands with soap regularly, using Sanitizers, Social distancing and wearing a face Mask.