FDC raises concerns over lack of clarity on vaccine procurement amid increasing fund requisitions by President Museveni

The opposition Forum for Democratic Change, FDC party has raised concerns about the continued lack of clarity on vaccine procurement and manufacturing.

While addressing the weekly press conference at their headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Monday, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda the FDC party spokesperson noted that President Yoweri Museveni has maintained throughout the pandemic period, that his government is working on manufacturing Covid vaccines. Yet at the same time, requisitioned for money to buy vaccines.

“The Minister for Science and Technology, a presidential advisor on Covid is running a Presidential Initiate on Vaccine Manufacturing and already she has been given Shs 31 billion to manufacture a vaccine. The same Minister Dr. Musenero wants an additional Shs 50 billion through a supplementary for vaccine manufacturing. And by end of December, the projection is that the country will have received vaccines for 11 million people” Hon. Ssemujju said.

He added that about Shs 560 billion is budgeted to buy vaccines leaving their party concerned, that Covid is being turned into an enterprise to make money by Museveni and his agents.

“We, therefore, welcome a parliamentary inquiry into the use of billions for vaccine manufacturing under Veterinary Doctor Musenero. And if the vet is clean, let her run to the select committee of Parliament and not State House. And if Museveni didn’t partake of this money, let him not yell at Parliament. He should if it is in his interest ask to appear before the committee to explain his participation” he said.

According to Ssemujju, the relationship between Dr. Musenero and the health sector is also a point of concern, because the President said, the health sector refused to employ his veterinary doctor.

He wonders how with that history revealed, the two ministers work in order to produce a vaccine.