By Julius Odeke

11^th July 2011:

Kampala – The Global Fund, which suspended its operations in Uganda a few years ago due to widespread corruption and misappropriation of its funds, is set to resume its operations in Uganda with an initial US$400million fund, Uganda Correspondent can exclusively reveal.

In an interview with this reporter, the Senior Health Planner in the Ministry of Health’s Planning Department Dr Nelson Musoba said the funds have already reached the districts.  “…The finances have been remitted to the district accounts countrywide and it’s only the District Health Officers who are aware of the disbursement”, Dr. Musoba said.

Until today, the disbursements had been kept secret to avoid causing unnecessary excitement among Uganda’s corrupt government officials and trigger a reoccurrence of what happened a few years ago when millions of GAVI funds were misappropriated by officials in the health sector.

Former Health Minister Jim Muhwezi, his deputies Capt Mike Mukula and Dr Alex Kamugisha, and Alice Kaboyo, a former State House employee, are some the government officials who were charged in connection with the misappropriation of the Global Fund for HIV/Aids, TB, and malaria among other illnesses.  We should add that all the accused denied the charges brought against them and case continues.

Dr Musoba says the grant that is code named ‘Global Fund Round 7’ HIV/Aids grant is meant to run for five years and its cardinal purpose is basically for the training of staff who will help in various fields.  He said $4million is meant for the purchase of antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs, CD4 machines, and test kits for people living with HIV/Aids.

For the fight against malaria, the Ministry has allocated US$155million, another US$30million, and $25million for health systems.  According to Dr. Musoba, the funds shall be signed for three months time.

“…This time round, the government has been sternly warned by the donors never to dip its fingers into the Global Funds, and that is why the
money was not, and will not be remitted to the treasury.  The Ministry has also been asked to open a separate account for these funds and provide quarterly reports to Geneva”, Dr Musoba said.

The District Local Governments operating under the laws of the country have been urged to be responsible in the implementation of the “Minimum Health Care Package” under the health sector strategies and investment plan.  According to Dr. Musoba, the Round 7 Grant phase one is meant for infrastructure development and purchasing of equipment for districts.

“…Each district is going to receive $2,500) for the purchase of computers and even some sub counties have been earmarked for this programme and they too have to benefit from the same amount of money”, Dr Musoba.

Other organisations that will benefit from the Round 7 Grant include Straight Talk Foundation, Uganda Red Cross Society, West Ankole Diocese, and Uganda Muslim Development Association among others.  Particular focus will be laid on training a skilled labour force that will help the Ministry to disseminate information to people living with HIV/Aids.

Chief Administrative Officers [CAOs] have been tasked with organising the training of staff.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.