The Ministry of Health has hailed the Patidar Samaj Community, a group of Indians living in Uganda, for allowing their property to be used as a quarantine centre to accommodate hundreds of Ugandans who returned from abroad.

In a letter to the chairperson of the Registered Trustees of Patdar Samaj Community, the Ministry’s permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine acknowledged receipt of the offer providing the property on Bombo Road as a quarantine facility to the government.

“This property is to be used by the Ministry of health free of charge, to accommodate individuals who cannot afford private hotel facilities for quarantine purposes in the fight to control the spread of Coronavirus,” Dr Atwine wrote commending the Patidar Samaj community for standing in solidarity with the ministry of health to combat Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Patidar Samaj Community leader, Mr Patel Kamlesh, the facility which houses the public library was facelifted with tarpaulin curtains, 100 beds, kitchen, restrooms and other utilities.

Addressing the media on Saturday in Kampala, Mr Kamlesh said that the offer was in response to the presidential appeal to the public to join the government efforts in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

“Returnees from abroad are not necessarily sick but because of the need to ease monitoring by government, we resolved to set up this structure. This is another way of fulfilling our objective of serving our people,” said Mr Kamlesh revealing that the centre is fully operated by the Ministry of health.

He revealed that the offer is part of their earlier donations towards the government efforts to save the plight of Ugandans amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

The donations include cash worth Shs20 million, food aid as well as motor vehicles.

On August 23, the National Coordinator of Covid-19 quarantine, Dr Richard Mugahi said in a letter that the ministry assessed the premises and found them fit for quarantine.

“The Ministry of health has committed to avail items to ensure that the site is fully functional. We shall provide beddings, fumigation, security and food for the quarantines clients,” he wrote