Coronavirus: Ugandan officials arrested for 'food aid corruption'

Four officials in the Ugandan prime minister's office have been arrested for alleged corruption over the purchasing of food aid to be distributed during the coronavirus lockdown.

The officials include the permanent secretary - the most senior technocrat in the office.

According to the presidential Anti-Corruption Unit, they flouted procurement procedures by rejecting lower price offers from suppliers of beans and maize flour.

The government launched a food-distribution initiative for 1.4 million residents of the capital, Kampala, and nearby districts last Saturday.

The scheme is to help the most vulnerable communities cope with restrictions put in place to control the spread of coronavirus.

The food is being distributed door-to-door to avoid overcrowding.

President Yoweri Museveni gave the unit powers to investigate any corruption in the handling of funds and logistics meant for the pandemic response.