Uganda's army starts emergency production of oxygen amid COVID-19 spike

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) started the emergency production of medical oxygen to meet the increasing demand in hospitals due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The oxygen is being produced at the army industrial park in Luwero district, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the capital Kampala.

Army spokeswoman Gen. Flavia Byekwaso told media the intervention is critical as most hospitals have run short of medical oxygen and the number of COVID-19 patients is rising.

William Oundo, a supervisor at the army oxygen plant, said they are currently producing 3 million liters of oxygen per day, but will increase it soon.

Medical officers said that a COVID-19 patient requires between 20 to 70 liters of oxygen per day.

Currently, the East African country requires 62 million liters of oxygen per day, while it is producing only about 30 million liters a day, leaving a deficit of over 30 million liters.

According to recent statistics from the Health Ministry, the country has so far recorded 72,679 cases, 680 deaths and 49,794 recoveries.