Besigye declares war against tycoon Ham Kiggundu over Vaccines ‘Sale’ Scandal

Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has called for the prosecution of controversial tycoon Ham Kiggundu and health ministry officials over their involvement in a Covid19 vaccines sale scandal.

During the July 21 parliamentary plenary, Soroti District Woman MP Anne Ebaju Adeke (FDC) tasked Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to explain how Ham Kiggundu secured over 1,200 doses for his staff and tenants while many essential workers such as health workers, security personnel and teachers remained unvaccinated.

“I have been reliably answered that he bought the vaccines. I didnt know government had started selling vaccines,” Adeke reported to Besigye, the former FDC president.

In response, Besigye called for the prosecution of Ham and officials involved in the vaccines sale scandal.

“Thanks. You’re the policy makers. Demand the immediate formal tabling of vaccination and other Covid19 related policies for parliament’s approval,” ths opposition kingpin told the youthful legislator.

“Those who sold vaccines to Ham should be prosecuted. Most vulnerable and most essential people that should have been Uganda’s top priority for vaccination remain largely uncovered, while businesses man’s 1200 people get the jabs!“

When the news of the Covid19 vaccines sale scandal first broke, Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MoH) said that “due to the lockdown, there has been a general low turn up for vaccination in Kampala,” something which “prompted MoH to adjust the vaccination rollout plan and allocate more vaccines to Wakiso District where most of the people in Kampala reside.”

“On 03rd July 2021, Hamis Kiggundu, a Kampala Businessman, volunteered to mobilize eligible people among the business community for vaccination by transporting them and ensuring that all Covid19 SOPs are fully adhered to,” continued MoH.

Day earlier, Ham Kiggundu had donated Shs530m to the Covid19 taskforce to boost vaccination efforts.

“This act of kindness to support the Covid19 vaccination exercise is in no way linked to the donation that he offered. It should be noted that Mr. Kiggundu’s contribution will be merged with the efforts of Government to procure additional vaccines, a process that is underway,” explained MoH.

The Ministry suggests that the vaccination of Ham’s staff and tenants and his Shs530m donation were just a coincidence.

It insisted that such vaccination drives had happened elsewhere, and vaccines remained free.

“The Ministry of Health would like to reiterate that similar vaccination outreach exercises have been carried out at various office premises. These include: URA, IGG office, UNOC and others,” the ministry added.

“The Ministry would like to emphasize that all Covid19 vaccines administered in Uganda are free of charge.”