By CHANGE OF GUARDS
Even before Uganda had registered a single case of COVID-19, last Easter was spent under a lockdown where everybody was keeping indoors and public transport had been banned. Now that Uganda has registered over 31,000 cases and 250 deaths, some quarters have been calling on government to impose a ban on travel upcountry for the festive season. They argue that since the COVID-19 prevalence is mainly concentrated in urban settings and Kampala City in particular which accounts for 50% of the total cases, allowing people to travel upcountry would help spread the virus.
Museveni's Senior Presidential Advisor on Epidemics, Dr. Monica Musenero argued;
"…People are going to travel from Kampala and other towns that are reporting cases and will take the disease for their mothers and unsuspecting relatives in villages. These people in the villages have a very low level of suspicion. Many of them do not even wear masks."
His Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwiine said;
"As we work to stem the spread of COVID-19, you are encouraged not to travel for Xmas holidays because you don’t know your status. Protect your loved parents by staying around this festive season "
The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) asked government to institute a short period lockdown to block people from travelling upcountry for the festive season. UMA President, Dr. Richard Idro said;
"If nothing is done, coronavirus will spread at a faster rate due to huge numbers of people moving, yet most of the health centres are now overwhelmed "
The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala urged people not to move from one place to another yet for him he has just returned from France where he had led a 30 man delegation to bring the new plane. He said;
"I encourage everyone not to JUST move from one location to another. We all cherish to visit and interact with our friends and loved ones but it is better when the world is back to normal. You never know you might spread to or contract the virus from them.”
Ugandans have been eagerly waiting for Museveni to issue a decree in that regard. The Minister of information and National Guidance, Judith Nabakoba who had all along been urging people not to travel upcountry for the festive season has now been compelled to declare the regime's final position on the matter;
"There will not be any lockdown during the festive season apart from the existing curfew and other SOPS. However I call upon everyone to be extra careful. For those travelling, ensure that you follow all the guidance on masks and social distancing. Market leaders should also restore hand washing facilities."
Museveni could not stop people from travelling upcountry simply because of selfish political interests. He is mindful of the traditional political hostility of urban dwellers to his regime. They have always supported the opposition during elections and are instrumental in his much feared protests. He intended to use the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to fraudulently reclaim the urban settings. He feels that he has meted out sufficient intimidation to these urban dwellers more especially in the greater Kampala area. In his estimates, most urban residents fear violence that may erupt during the January 14 General Elections. For that reason, he believes that when they travel upcountry for the festive season, they will fear to return to the city thus remain upcountry till after the January 14 polls. That way, the opposition will be at a loss of potential voters while at the same time potential post election protests will not attract the necessary manpower. That is why he had to move the polls from February to Mid January.
INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM
I now get you leah.
ReplyDeleteActually Museveni and his allies have now planned a new move of not allowing media to cover the voting process claiming that you have to get verification from them so as to cover.
Secondly, for example where I live currently, almost M7 has zero support. People here are so concerned about what has happened to dem in 34 years. Most of them are under 35 who don't care about war, because its just stories to them. My home town is masaka but my Jaja told me yesterday, that military moves at night to instill fear. They move door to door promising people to see what happened in Kampala. The truth is that now, they can't ditch out money, they can't say nothing. The voice of the people has spoken loud.