COVID-19: Drop obstinacy, heed President's message

By Moses Watasa

Driving out of Kampala on Jinja Road last Friday evening, I noticed something disturbing.

A full-to-capacity commuter taxi stopped at the gate of Uganda Management Institute and six passengers disembarked. With masks barely covering their noses, they walked past a security checkpoint in front of Jinja Road Police Station.

In the slow traffic, I observed them stop and then board — again, from about 25 metres ahead, and the taxi proceeded towards Nakawa. Apparently, they had also adjusted and now worn their masks around their throats!

This, clearly, was a group aware of the requirement to limit numbers and to properly wear masks, as some of the SOPs that have been put in place to control COVID-19, but had colluded with a driver to breach them.

This ominous behaviour is evident across the country, but moreso in Kampala. It takes the form of crowding in markets, shopping centres and along busy streets, especially downtown Kampala. A lot of people wear masks wrongly or not at all. And these are now available, including the free Government of Uganda masks.

Then, we have incidents in which people decline to sanitise/wash hands, while others resist efforts to take their temperature.

This obstinacy also reared its ugly head during the lockdown, when crowds would emerge in Kampala's suburbs for "jogging".

These were asked to stay home to, in effect, protect people from themselves. In his typically practical approach, President Museveni even recorded and released a video, demonstrating optimisation of space in homes for purposes of exercising.

Meanwhile, similar acts of stubbornness continue, as Police engages to stave off house parties, clandestine opening of gyms, bars and saunas — all in defiance of guidelines to the contrary.

And as the election cycle gathers momentum, the Police are also increasingly facing off with swelling crowds in the form of processions and gatherings.

This complicates efforts at controlling the spread of COVID-19. Yet, the Government has been consistent with President Museveni leading sensitisation efforts from the front.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and that of ICT and national guidance have been rolling out a multimedia campaign to educate people about COVID-19.

Defying scientific advice about a disease without a cure or vaccine and which can spread like a wildfire is mputtu (obstinacy) of suicidal proportions.

Moreover, with opening up of the country continuing, the Government cannot ‘police' every Ugandan. And, the figures should be of concern to us. According to MOH, we had a cumulative 2,972 documented COVID-19 cases in Uganda by the close of August 2020.

The fatalities, on the other hand, stood at 32. That Kampala, with a high concentration of enlightened people has the bulk of these and is the epicentre of COVID-19 should be cause for reflection.

We should not let our initial gains in the fight against COVID-19, got to waste. And, in this ours largely religious country, even the very stubborn in our midst could be touched by the Grace of the Almighty.

In which case, President Museveni also deserves a thumbs-up for hosting the inter-denominational prayers to invoke a divine hand as we continue battling COVID-19.

During the August 29, 2020, prayers at State House, he noted: "Kampala is now the richest with the coronavirus because they don't listen. We need to listen to what God is telling us, but also discipline ourselves..."

First Lady Maama Janet Museveni put in a compelling intercession. "Father, if this situation is the result of sin on our part, we ask for forgiveness." About COVID-19, Uganda's leadership has offered direction on all fronts.

Let's drop the obstinacy so that our country is delivered from the pandemic.

The writer is the commissioner in charge of communication and information at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.