HEALTH | POLITICS | FDC

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has raised concern over the Government’s plan to start charging people for testing COVID-19.

The party’s mobiliser for the Northern region, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo said it is unbelievable that the government can even think of charging people for the test.

“Testing, isolation, and treatment are measures that all governments have employed everywhere to curtail the pandemic. Charging sh240,500 for testing is madness, to say the least,” he noted.

He stressed that the people who test are not the beneficiaries of the testing, but the public because that is how victims are identified and isolated to stop the spread.

“To us, this move by the government is an indication that the government has lost the fight against COVID-19. If some people already feared to test when it was still free, what will the situation be when you start charging,” he noted.

Fungaroo said the government should look for more funds and take the sole responsibility of testing and treating, on top of enforcing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

“This pandemic is like HIV. Many Ugandans cannot afford to raise the fee for testing and treatment. If the government does not rethink their position, then the country is headed for more danger,” he noted.

He stressed that the fight against the pandemic can be more effective with free testing and treatment services.

The party is also concerned with the selective enforcement of the COVID-19 measures.

“At times you wonder whether COVID-19 measures were put in place for the opposition. The MP for Nakaseke South Paul Semakula Lutamaguzi, is in jail for allegedly violating COVID-19 measures yet minister Evelyn Anite (State for Privatisation and Investment), David Bahati (State Finance and Planning), Prof Ephraim Kamuntu (Justice and Constitutional Affairs) and Gen Moses Ali (first deputy premier) have been holding rallies or processions but no one has been arrested,” he wondered.

 COVID-19 is real

However, Fungaroo urged all citizens to observe COVID-19 preventive measures, saying the pandemic is real.

“FDC would like to reiterate her repeated message to all citizens. COVID-19 is real, it is not a hoax. Please wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and maintain social distance,” he added.

He said what is happening with some ministers violating ‘these measures’ without being touched, implies that NRM is using the situation to advantage themselves for political gains during the ongoing electoral process.

“There is no reason why campaigns were banned. The public should simply be advised to observe the measures like they are doing with everything else,” he noted.

The party spokesperson, Ibrahim Ssemujju said if the government continues to implement the measures selectively, the opposition will be forced to take the same direction.