Government has launched the long-awaited COVID 19 relief mobile money cash to the vulnerable population, in an event presided over by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at OPM offices on July 8, 2021.
Godfrey Oloya, a boda-boda rider in Gulu District is the first recipient of sh 100,000 Covid relief package from the government. Robinah Nabbanja called him after sending the money to confirm receipt.
According to the Government over 500,000 households have been selected to receive sh 100,000. Funds will be disbursed by Post Bank through telecom companies.
Recently, experts said the COVID relief through mobile money by the Government would boost local economies since there’s limited movement as a result of ban on both private and public transport means. They said most of the household needs will be bought from the nearby kiosks, grocery shops and drug shops among others.
“ If you give people money, they aren’t going to walk miles to buy their needs, they stimulate the local kiosk around them where they buy their posho ground nuts. I think cash outs are the only logical thing for the Government to do,” said Makerere University Senior economics lecturer Dr. Fred Muhumuza.
He said people are better off when you give them money instead of the actual benefit and this stimulates the economy.
Julius Mukunda, the executive director Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) said mobile money transfers will also ensure timely delivery of the relief package but will also ease accountability.
“After approving payments, it takes just a few minutes to land on people’s mobile money accounts. I think this is a good method,” he said.