Ministry of Health wants Tumbiza song banned

Dec 18, 2020

Mwebesa in his letter dated December 4 2020, claims that the song was causing misinformation among different audiences and subsequently creating complacency among the public.

HEALTH   VIRUS

The Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr Henry Mwebesa has written to Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) asking them to immediately ban the broadcast of a popular song Tumbiza Sound by Eric Opoka aka EeZzy. 

Mwebesa in his letter dated December 4 2020, claims that the song was causing misinformation among different audiences and subsequently creating complacency among the public.

Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr Henry Mwebesa. (File photo)


UCC's Ag. Executive Director Irene Kaggwa-Sewankambo in an interview with the New Vision noted that they had not yet received the letter but promised to respond once it's within her reach.

"Currently, the Ministry of Health is working with the UCC and the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance to effectively deliver Health Promotion and Education information to the public," Mwebesa noted.

Mwebesa further said that "It has been noted with concern that there is a song being broadcasted on electronic and social media with messages contradicting the Ministry of Health standard operating procedures on COVID-19 prevention titled "Tumbiza Sound' by Eric Opoka A.K.A EeZzy. The message in the song has, in turn, caused misinformation among different audiences and subsequently creating complacency among the public."

He requested UCC to ban the airing of the song on all mass media channels so the public is not misled.

"Furthermore, I wish to request that going forward all edutainment with health information/messages on COVID-19 passed onto the different media houses are harmonized with Ministry of Health before they are aired," Mwebesa noted attaching a copy of the song lyrics and the translation in English for UCC reference and action.

As of December 16, 2020, Uganda had cumulative 29,361 confirmed cases and the total COVID-19 deaths are 228.

Health experts warn that the cases are set to rise due to complacency and failure to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines which include wearing masks, washing hands and keeping social distance.

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