Well-wishers contribute over Shs 180mln for Nodding Syndrome victims
LIRA– Well-wishers in Northern Uganda and other parts of the country have collected a total of Shs 188 million to support families afflicted by Nodding Syndrome Disease in Acholi Sub Region. The target for the fundraiser is to raise 40,000 kilogrammes of food and other assorted items.
The funds were collected through a fundraising drive which saw a series of activities including football games for Media houses from Gulu and Kitgum organised by the Irene Gleeson Foundation over the weekend.
John Paul Kifaasi, the Executive Director of Irene Gleeson Foundation said they collected Shs 100 million in cash while pledges totaled Shs 88mln in form of food and other logistical support.
He said the items including beans, posho, and salt, among others Will be given to the afflicted families for a period of one month.
Speaking with a section of the afflicted families in Bongo Lakur village in Labongo Akwang Sub-county, Kitgum District in the presence of the Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, Kifaasi faulted the government for neglecting the families saying that each financial year, only Shs 5mln was allocated.
“The support you see today is from well-wishers from Kitgum, Gulu, Lira and Kampala. The government only gives Shs 5mln towards Nodding Syndrome Disease. We would wish to see more sustainable interventions from the government,” said Kifaasi.
David Okello, the Kampala Fundraising Chapter under the Irene Gleeson Foundation Charity Walk, said they stepped in to support, having observed that government was doing little to support the families afflicted by Nodding Syndrome Disease.
Nancy Acora, the Lamwo District Woman Member of Parliament said as members of the Acholi Parliamentary Group [APG], they want sustainable interventions including housing, food relief, and vocational training facilities to support the afflicted families.
Currently, over 3000 cases of Nodding Syndrome Disease have been recorded in the districts of Omoro, Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader, among others.
Minister Nakadama pledged she would present the matter to the cabinet.
She said government is committed to ending the Nodding Syndrome Disease, adding that those who are investigating the cause and treatment of the disease would be supported.
Nakadama, who represented Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja donated Shs 10 million towards the fundraiser held on Saturday at the Christian Community Church, in Kitgum Municipality.
Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 10
