Ugandan Alcohol Manufacturers and Distillers have agreed to produce affordable hand sanitizers as the country steps up efforts to fight the spread of the corona virus that causes COVID-19.
This was after a meeting between the State Minister of Finance, Evelyn Anite, Alcohol and Spirit Manufacturers, National Drugs Authority (NDA) and Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) to discuss the shortage and exorbitant prices of hand sanitizers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world.
The manufacturers will use the 7.3 million litres of ethanol and alcohol in their facilities to make affordable and quality sanitizers for Ugandans.
“I thank the Uganda Manufacturers Association and the spirit manufacturers who agreed to step in and combat the hand sanitizer shortage by using the 7.3 million liters of alcohol in their facilities to make available, affordable and quality sanitizers for the protection of COVIDー19,” Anite said.
The government will also support the manufacturers through value added tax and excise duty waivers to help them maximize the production.
During the meeting, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and National Drug Authority (NDA) also pledged to fast track the registration of quality hand sanitizers but also assured of increased surveillance across the country to ensure fake sanitizers are not released onto the market.
