The Egyptian government has donated Hepatitis C drugs to Uganda. The drugs were received by Maj Gen David Mugisha, the Commandant of the Special Forces Command (SFC), an army brigade responsible for guarding the President and key installations.
Col Deo Akiiki, the deputy Army Spokesperson said the drugs were delivered by Gen Mohamed Ashraf, the commandant of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS). GIS oversees Egypt’s factory that manufactures the Hepatitis C drugs.
The delivery follows the engagement the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, had with Egypt’s President Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi including commanders of various army units in October this year. Col Akiiki said Gen Muhoozi held discussions with the then Director General of GIS, Maj Gen Abbel Kamal, regarding Uganda’s need for Hepatitis C vaccines from Egypt.
“Although Gen Kamal is no longer the Director General, his successor, Gen Hassan Rashad, has ensured that the engagement bears fruit,” Col Akiiki said. It is estimated that Hepatitis B and C kill over 3,500 people per day around the world.
In Uganda, Hepatitis B and C killed more than 1,250 people in 2023. The drugs donated by Egypt can only treat slightly over 500 Hepatitis C patients.
Dr Charles Olaro from the Ministry of Health and Col McDans Kamugira, the CDF’s Military Assistant were present at Entebbe Airport when the drugs were being received. Maj Gen Mugisha and Col Akiiki said the delivery of the Hepatitis C drugs is a reaffirmation of CDF Gen Muhoozi and President Al-Sisi’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors.
GIS delivery comes barely a fortnight after Egypt donated equipment for manufacturing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines worth two billion and five hundred million shillings. Since Gen Muhoozi visited Egypt, Uganda has received tens of thousands of FMD vaccines and this has since been distributed to prone districts.