Utter joy as Bwaise residents receive relief food

The village council leaders had already mobilized residents in their communities to keep at home. And whenever the distribution team reached, every occupant in the house would be asked to stand outside their doorway for headcount and then actual reception of relief depending on the number of occupants per house.

Sarah Nakalema, a resident of Kulumba zone and mother of three, said the delivery was unbelievable. She shouted and hailed “long live (president) Museveni” as she received 30 kilograms of maize flour and 15 kilograms of beans. Her neighbours were equally overjoyed. Some asked government to ‘complete the help’ and provide them with charcoal as well.

Most of the families that received food in Bwaise were headed by single mothers. Some could be seen unpacking the delivery immediately to prepare their next meal. Madina Atto says that the government’s move to cater for them in such hard times was timely as they were already running out of the few supplies they had stocked.

The distribution, however, left out some people, whom, village leaders considered to be well-off and could provide for themselves even during the lockdown. Habib Nsubuga, Bubajjwe village chairperson said that he could not allow food to be distributed to well-off people.

Expectant and breastfeeding mothers who were expecting to get powdered milk and sugar where left guessing as to whether this was yet another empty promise from the government. 

Tensions further escalated when UPDF trucks seemingly loaded with milk were sighted which later prompted residents to blame the distributing teams for allegedly plotting to deny them the milk.

Rachel Nakiwala appealed to the government to investigate the matter before some people hijack the relief items given the corrupt tendencies among government officials.

However, the distributing soldiers explained that the first consignment never included milk. The officer was seen registering expectant mothers asking them for their national identification numbers and contact details. 

Lt Col Henry Obbo the UPDF Land Forces spokesperson, who also the media contact person for the operation had no clear explanation for why they were not giving out milk. 

“I wouldn’t really speak on this because we only do the delivery of what we have been given to distribute. But as far as I know, me as an individual, you know this has been very fast and the government had to make sure things start moving. They [lactating mothers] are not very many and they will be given [milk and sugar]. Of course like the food came; posho and beans then salt came later. We still have their [phone] numbers, it is a matter of time. For the expectant mothers, I am very sure they will still receive because the LCs have already identified them and we already have their numbers.” said Obbo.

Obbo further notes that day one has been a pilot and all the challenges and success they have faced will be informing how the operation in other areas where they are going to roll out will be.

“I must say that this exercise was a success. It is just that we started a bit late…Nevertheless, we’re working in line with the people who have been identified by their local leadership. If you go down and meet these people who received the food, we conclude that they really needed this food. As we were distributing, straight away they put it on fire because they really needed it. But even those who seemed to be living in posh houses were also demanding for the food.” Obbo added.  

The distribution exercise is being handled by security under Gen Elly Tumwine working with LC one chairpersons. It is expected to benefit over 1.5 million people.