By Rogers Wanambwa 

KIU, Main Campus - The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has revealed that the country has secured 35 billion shillings to procure and buy face masks for 33 million Ugandans. 

Every Ugandan is mandated to move with a face mask following the president's directive in allowing more movement to ease the lockdown. 

"The total budget for the masks is UGX 35billion for over 33 million people because we are excluding the children who are less than six years and also those with heart diseases," the minister said. 

"We are trying to negotiate as much as possible to have the prices reduced to as low as UGX 1000 or UGX 1500 per mask since we are buying in large quantities but we are also cognizant that getting all materials at once may not be possible," added Dr Aceng. 

The minister, however, said that those with respiratory diseases would be required to keep staying home since it is advised that they not wear the masks.