Telecommunication companies MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda will earn at least sh960m in withdraw fees in sending the COVID-19 relief cash to the vulnerable Ugandans.
The calculation according to sources is based on the current transaction tariffs by the telecom firms. Both Airtel and MTN charge sh1,925 for withdrawing between sh60,001 and sh125,000.
While launching the disbursement of the relief cash in Kampala, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja said the extra cash on the budgeted sh100,000 will cater for charges on withdrawing the money.
Godfrey Oloya, a boda-boda rider in Gulu was the first recipient of the relief cash. Nabbanja called Oloya shortly after sending the money to acknowledge receipt.
On picking, Oloya said: “I have received a message that I have received sh102,425.”
In response, Nabanjja said: “The sh2,425 is for you so that when you go to get the sh100,000, it will be the charge at the outlet. You are supposed to get sh100,000 intact.”
The cash transfer shall reach 501,107 households which is 38% of the households in Kampala Metropolitan Area, all cities and municipalities according to Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. The total cash relief is sh53b.
The beneficiaries of the cash relief include barmen, DJs, barmaids, waiters, waitresses, bouncers, gym and restaurant workers, food vendors in tax, bus parks, and arcades, musicians, comedians, producers, car washers, slum dwellers, street vendors, shoe shiners, promoters, salon and massage parlour employees, teachers and support staff in both government and private schools, orphans and vulnerable children.
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