How will you mark this Christmas?

HEALTH   COVID-19

Trapped in the Covid-19 pandemic, the questions most Ugandans are asking themselves is how best can one mark this Christmas? Most respondents are saying, gathering a huge family member crowd, as it has been, is not worth the risk.

"I am opting to host a zoom party with my family in Arua," said Capt. Aloysius Edema in Entebbe. "Much as I desperately want to see my loved ones back home - as has always been the case." This year has been rough and tough."

Another respondent Fred Owaraga says he has just lost his Dad shortly after braving the COVID-19 Lockdown.

"My children are yet to recover from their grandfather's demise. Fortunately, I have them around to help me through this trying time, says Owaraga. "So, this Christmas I am thinking of nothing better than addressing my children's emotions. To lose a granny this close to Christmas is bad enough. My challenge is to make a special time for them."

Government recently relaxed the lockdown. Worship places were allowed to operate but with limited congregations and observing the SOPs. Most Churches are functioning with the congregation wearing masks and not shaking hands to wish each other the best of times as it were.

Urbanites in Kampala City have another view of the forthcoming festive season. One Ritah Najjemba who loves hugging says she has not hugged anybody but her husband since the lockdown was effected in March.

"I thought by Christmas I would have my entire family by me!" laments Najjemba. "Sitting around a table dining and winning is what this season should always be about. We have obeyed the rules since March can't we make merry for a day or seven?"

However, the Ministry of Health continues to urge Ugandans to observe SOPs guidelines and save themselves from infection and death.

"Covid-19 is real," the minister of health Ruth Aceng reminds Ugandans. "Keep a distance from people. Wear masks, wash your hands regularly and avoid crowds especially during this festive season which coincides with the political excitement across the country." 

Good enough hotels, gyms and cinema halls are now open for people to make merry but in controlled numbers.

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) says the promotion of domestic tourism ought to be exploited at this time. SOPs have always been observed even before Covid -19.

"For example, Safari vans carry 50 percent of the carrying capacity," said the UTB PRO Sandra Natukunda. "In the gorilla/chimpanzee tracking section trackers had to keep a distance to avoid counter infection. The new practices include: temperature reading, washing hands and sanitizing."

The products are on a steady increase with agro-tourism, community tourism spicing the old Safari Drive in parks and a boat ride on the mighty River Nile.

"Having a Christmas in the wilderness would be a better option for most families," said Natukunda.