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Ugandans no longer fear COVID-19

Uganda’s first COVID-19 death

The resentment among Ugandans was perhaps best exemplified when news broke in the evening of July 23 confirming that the death of a 34-year old Ugandan woman was a result of COVID-19. Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Director General (health services) confirmed the death of the woman who the ministry said was a resident of Namisindwa District in eastern Uganda.

Mwebesa said the deceased was first admitted at a Health Centre II on July 15 and treated for severe pneumonia but had to be transferred five days later, on July 20, to another private health facility in the eastern city of Mbale, where she was isolated in the female ward.

The ministry officials said the deceased’s postmortem samples from the deceased were confirmed positive for SARS-COV-2 by four laboratories including; the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), plus the two in Tororo and Makerere University.

News of Uganda’s first COVID-19 death came two days after President Museveni addressed the nation for the 17th time, further relaxing the pandemic-imposed restrictions that he first announced in late March when he locked down the country to control the spread of the coronavirus.

On July 22, Museveni allowed salons, shopping arcades, bodaboda (motor cycle taxis) to resume operations but bars, churches, schools and public gatherings remain prohibited. Museveni added that Uganda’s only international airport, Entebbe, will also remain closed “until the situation abroad settles down.”

President Museveni’s recent relaxation of the restrictions appears to have been in response to pressure from the public which it has exerted on the government, with city traders, teachers and religious institutions calling for the re-opening of their work places and worship centres.  It is this frustration that has bred cynicism with which Ugandans are now responding to COVID-19 reports in the country.

Cynical Ugandans

When the first death was announced, Ugandans took to social media, with some dismissing the Ministry of Health reports while others chose to be cynical. Rather than show fear, the announcement via the ministry of health’s social media platforms which attracted 15,000 views and were shared 843 times in a few hours also attracted over 2,200 comments, most of them sarcastic, cynical and dismissive of the implications of the death.

Darius Musiimenta wrote saying that, “That is not the first death. Count how many people have died of hunger, how many have been killed by Uganda’s security forces in a way of enforcing the so-called presidential directives.”

Magala Trust Paul added: “As we head to the 2021 general election, we predict more COVID-19 related death as a way of emphasizing the need for the scientific election. May her soul rest in peace.”

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of health who has recently faced criticism for appearing in public without a mask also posted on her Facebook page about the woman’s death. “Uganda confirms 1st COVID death, a 34 year old female. She had symptoms consistent with COVID-19. May her soul rest in eternal peace. May God guide and protect her dear family,” she said.

“COVID is real, dangerous and can kill. Please embrace preventive measures; wash your hands regularly with soap and water, wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Stay safe,” wrote Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng on her Facebook page.

But Dr. Aceng’s advice did not deter more Ugandans from attacking her.  “It is just the beginning, you put God aside and you trusted your so-called scientists. So get ready for what’s yet to come,” wrote Joshua Kagame Greater Glory.

Saviour Xavi Onek Junior added: “From showing us videos of badly affected countries days ago during the presidential address, now you want to prove a point of scientific elections by creating fear among Ugandans that Corona has started killing people.”

“You think we are scared of that,” wrote one, Masiga Candy Lovinz, “Dear Ugandans let’s stand together and work against mafias. We knew time will come and they will forge death.”

But Kule Edward said it was unfortunate that most Ugandans were uttering irresponsible comments. “They are told fire burns and they say it doesn’t burn until I touch it to prove.”

3 comments

  1. I would contribute this profound ignorance to the fact that most Ugandans don’t have the slightest idea how destructive and deadly this virus is. Most Ugandans don’t get to know the plight of other countries and how the virus is robbing these societies of their folk. The lack of information and a deficit in understanding the pandemic make for such figures. If only we would be able to decimate information to all people especially information from outside Uganda, maybe these figures would change. Peasants in the rural areas don’t have access to international news! They don’t have access even to domestic news. Hence they can’t compare the effect of the pandemic in Uganda with other countries! People need to “see” those graves and coffins in Brazil and Columbia to understand this virus!Not to merely depend on numbers from Uganda. Awareness is lacking on the side of the Ministry of Health.

  2. But then,why is that the figures on covid 19 stats keeping changing abnormally eg there is when the number of recoveries were more than the cases we had and previously we had registered more than 1010 recoveries but so far I am seeing that we have less than 1000 recoveries.let us be notified of the real thing and that’s when we shall become more serious.

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