Gov't starts COVID-19 food distribution this weekend

Government has announced that it will start the distribution of food packs to 1.5 million vulnerable people in Kampala and Wakiso districts this Saturday, April 4, 2020.

Government imposed a 14-day lockdown starting April 1 where all non-essential workers were ordered to stay home in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

While updating parliament on the implementation plan for the COVID-19 presidential directives, prime minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, said the food distribution will start with Kampala and Wakiso before rolling it out across the country.

"The items will be distributed at Local Council one level with close supervision of the police and army to ensure order and transparency," Rugunda said.

The food items to be distributed are; six kilograms of maize flour and three kilograms of beans and salt per head. Lactating mothers and the sick will additionally receive more two kilograms of powdered milk and two kilograms of sugar.

President Yoweri Museveni said on Monday that the vulnerable people may be supported by government with food items for at least a month until normalcy returns in the country. He warned about proper identification of beneficiaries and that distribution must be done in a health conscious way.

"We are looking at groups who were feeding themselves but living hand to mouth. Once you stop what they are doing because of health issues, where do they get food?" Museveni asked.

He added: "The majority of people in the country feed themselves like the farmers have their gardens and people in the towns have money and bank accounts with savings."

Rugunda chairs the multi-sectoral National Taskforce for COVID-19 that will spearhead the distribution exercise. The membership comprises relevant ministries, parliament, private sector, civil society and secretaries generals of all political parties represented in parliament.

In his Tuesday address, Museveni banned "idiots" from distributing foods to people, saying they were seeking cheap popularity and yet putting the lives of Ugandans at risk as some distribution attracted crowds. Museveni had earlier banned gatherings of more than 10 people, currently, gatherings are only limited to 5 people.

 

The president ordered police to arrest anyone who defies the order and charge them with attempted murder. He said anyone who wanted to donate food should hand it over to the taskforce headed by the prime minister. Rugunda said the government would issue food to struggling Ugandans especially those that depended on their jobs for a daily meal and yet cannot work due to presidential guidelines to combat COVID-19.

The president said the Office of the Prime Minister would work out a mechanism for the distribution. Martin Owor, the commissioner of Disaster Preparedness at the Office of the Prime Minister says they have used national statistics from UBOS to identify the most vulnerable places with the urban poor. The areas listed include; Kireka, Nansana, Katanga and others. He says they will also use the LC chairpersons to identify further the neediest people.

Owor says they chose to start with Kampala and Wakiso because the urban poor here come from far areas and yet survive on daily earnings. He says they hope the situation will have normalised after 14 days otherwise, they will have to think of how to extend food to more groups in need.

 

He says the distribution will be done at LC 1 level by the LC chairpersons. Rugunda says the local chairpersons will be supported by the police and the Uganda People's Defense Forces for purposes of transparency and avoiding crowds.

"Security will stay at the distribution point from the beginning up to the end of the exercise," reads part of the statement.

UPDATE ON COVID-19 CASES

In his address on COVID-19 cases, Rugunda said government is considering adopting rapid diagnostic test kits pending approval by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This, he said, will expedite the testing process and allow for increased numbers of screened persons for COVID-19. Uganda registered her first case of COVID-19 on March 21 in a male traveller from Dubai aboard Ethiopian Airlines. Currently, Uganda has registered 44 cases of COVID-19. Majority of the cases were travellers from UAE and UK with 14 cases each. Districts with confirmed cases include Masaka, Hoima, Adjumani and Kampala.

Rugunda said all the confirmed persons have been admitted in Entebbe Grade B hospital (15), Mulago hospital (15), Adjumani (1), and Hoima hospitals (2).

"All patients presented with mild symptoms and are improving on treatment. The 11 cases [from Watoto Children's Choir] that were confirmed last night are in the process of evacuation to Mulago hospital. Uganda has not registered any COVID-19 related death, and we pray all those receiving treatment recover fully," he said. The contacts of the 11 new cases are yet to be identified.

Speaking briefly to NBS television today, the Associate Team Leader at Watoto, Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo  said the affected persons and children are part of the choir members that had returned from the UK two weeks ago and under quarantine in Entebbe.

"I have been in touch with the children and none is in critical condition. I am glad to report that they are doing well," Rwotlonyo said in a televised Skype interview.

All individuals under self-quarantine completed the mandatory 14-day period on March 31, 2020. For now, at least 1,015 individuals are still under institutional quarantine including those from UAE who responded to the ministry of Health call to report to Mulago for assessment.

Ruguda said more 660 contacts to the confirmed cases have been listed and are being followed up. The contacts have been advised to isolate themselves at home as the health ministry epidemiologists continue to monitor them daily for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, screening of individuals has also expanded to Mulago specialised national hospital to cover greater Kampala and designated as an isolation and treatment center. At all regional referral hospitals, isolation facilities have been prepared to receive confirmed cases.

nangonzi@observer.ug

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Yaaya gwe baagobye ku mulimu atambuzza bigere okuva e Ntebe okudda e Kamuli

Omuwala Phiona Nangobi ow'emyaka 20 ng'abadde akola bwa yaaya Entebe n'omwanawe ow'emyezi esatu be bamu ku bali mu buzibu obwateekeddwawo olw'eby'entambula ebyayimiriziddwa olw'ekirwadde kya COVID 19....

All 63 samples test negative, Namboole to turn into hospital

All today's 63 suspected coronavirus have tested negative at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), ministry of Health has announced.

The ministry says 1,510 samples have been tested to date and 44 of these have tested positive. 1,002 are under followup - 695 who were in contact with the positive cases.  

In neighbouring Kenya, 22 new cases were recorded rising their national tally to 81. Rwanda's cases have risen to 82 after 7 new confirmed cases were registered today. Three of Rwanda's new cases were contacts from previously confirmed cases. 

Tanzania today also registered one new case, rising its national tally to 20. On the global scale, confirmed cases rose to 911,578. The USA recorded 463 deaths today, Italy 727 deaths, Spain 589 deaths, Germany 83 deaths, Iran 138 deaths, UK 563 deaths, Belgium 123 deaths, Netherlands 134 deaths, Algeria 14 deaths.

Also, Morocco registered one death today, Tunisia two deaths while Burkina Faso lost two to coronavirus, Senegal one death, DR Congo and Mali one death each.

NAMBOOLE TO TURN INTO HOSPITAL

Ministry of Health permanent secretary Diana Atwine said today Wednesday that they are planning to turn Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) in Kireka into a health facility if the number of COVID-19 cases in the country increase.

Atwine was appearing before the parliamentary committee on the budget. The committee was scrutinizing the supplementary request of Shs 284 billion (later increased to Shs 300bn) to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus.

Atwine, who was responding to questions from MPs in regards to their preparations to handle the cases in case they rise, said that at the moment, they are handling all cases of coronavirus from Entebbe Grade B hospital and Mulago hospitals.

She says however if the two facilities get filled up, they are already making arrangements to have Namboole turned into a health facility. Several countries like the United States of America, Italy, China and Spain among others that have been hardly hit by the coronavirus are currently suffering from lack of hospital space, ventilators and protective gears.

Several countries have made makeshift health facilities, while others are constructing and have launched hospitals to handle the coronavirus situation. 

 

HAJJ PILGRIMAGE SUSPENDED

Spain announced Wednesday it surpassed 100,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, while a senior Saudi official urged people planning to make the hajj pilgrimage to hold off on deciding for now.

Spain is one of the global hot spots for the virus, trailing only the United States and Italy in terms of number of cases.  Wednesday's announcement also included a death toll that now stands at more than 9,000.

Muslim pilgrims are due to descend on Saudi Arabia from all over the world in late July to perform the once-in-a-lifetime religious duty.  But with the virus pandemic, and Saudi Arabia already banning entry to Mecca and Medina, Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten told state television people should wait for more clarity on the situation.

In the United States, officials say Americans should be prepared for a potential 100,000 to 240,000 deaths from the coronavirus, while stressing the need to keep social distancing measures in place to give the best chance of lessening the toll. 

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The futile pain of securing an RDC travel permit

While President Yoweri Museveni directed the resident district commissioners (RDCs) to grant permission to people with emergencies to travel in private vehicles, securing the permit is such a painful attempt as Baker Batte writes. 

Addressing the country Tuesday, Museveni said the RDCs should grant temporary permits to people with medical emergencies to travel to hospitals. Last week, Museveni banned public transport and allowed up to three persons per private vehicle. However, Museveni said this had been abused and yesterday this was banned as well with only essential services such as medical, banking, media among others allowed to continue using their private vehicles. 

"The RDC is not far because the telephones are now there… people were jumping in vehicles and running around with no good reason and causing infections," said Museveni. 

A number of Ugandans have taken to social media to air out their frustrations after failing to contact their RDCs as either their phone numers were unavailable or they went unanswered. Following Museveni's ban on private transport, State House shared the telephone contacts of all the RDCs and their deputies.  

"I have tried calling the RDC of Wakiso but my phone was picked after almost 30 minutes. My wife is expecting in the coming days that's why I wanted to get the clearance way in time. But how can I move on foot from Makindye Ssabagabo to Kasangati to get the clearance from the RDC?" said an employee in one of the government institutions who preferred anonymity to speak freely.

Random sampling confirms these complaints that indeed getting RDCs for clearance is very cumbersome. For the 20 RDCs that we sample called, only three picked their phones, the others they either went unanswered or were completely unavailable. 

"Do you have any assistance you need from me," said the Rosemary Byabashaija, the RDC of Mpigi district. When asked about what a pregnant woman who needs to go for antenatal need to be cleared, Byabashaija said, she must come to her office with a photocopy of her antenatal card. "Then I will clear you to travel."

The other RDCs whose phones rang and were answered instantly were that of Butambala district, Badru Ssebyala and Moses Mugweri of Adjumani district.

 

"People are coming to our office some with heavily pregnant women, really it doesn't take a lot of scientific thinking to grant such a person permission," said Ssebyala.

He added that since the presidential directive, his phone has not stopped ringing.

 

"Even people who don't need to travel in vehicles are also calling to ask for permission to go to the hospital. I think we need to clarify that people are free to do whatever they want for as long as it doesn't contradict the president's orders," said Ssebyala.

For Mugweri, in Adjumani, whoever wants to get permission to use private means must walk there from wherever they are coming from to the district headquarters to get written permission to travel. He said, however, those who need emergency medical attention will not be affected because his district has enough ambulances to take them either to Gulu or Kampala hospitals.

"Because of the refugee settlement in our district, we have 13 ambulances and I think they are enough to take people with emergencies to wherever they want to," said Mugweri. The other RDCs whose phone rang and picked, on the second trial, was Namulindwa Sheeba, the RDC of Luweero district.

However, on picking she said, 'call me back later; I'm in a meeting." The same was for Auma Linda, the RDC of Amuru district. For the RDCs of Wakiso, Rose Kirabira and Herman Sentongo of Masaka, all the time their phones were called, they were always busy.

On the other hand, the RDCS of Jinja, Eric Sakwa, Tororo, Owole Nixon, Chris Mike Okirya of Busia, Omara Christopher of Kitgum, Muhindo Aminadabu of Kiruhura, Bakunda George of Ntungamo, Shafique Ssekandi of Kanungu, Locap Peterken of Moroto, Mugume Apollo of Kakumiro, Toko Shaib of Pakwach, Maj. Santos Okot Lapolo of Gulu and Herbert Anderson of Nakawa,  either their phones went unpicked or were unavailable for the more than two times they were called. 

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Poliisi ekoze ekikwekweto ku zi loogi n'egwa ku basinda omukwano

POLIISI e Kayunga etalaaze loogi mu kiro n'ekwata 17 bw'ebadde essa mu nkola ebiragiro bya pulezidenti Museveni n'esangamu abantu.   Poliisi ekebedde loogi ezisinga obungi era ne wankubadde abamu beewozezzangako...

Musician Who Wrote ‘I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’ Dies Of Coronaviru

The co-writer and original singer of I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll, Alan Merrill, has died after contracting coronavirus according to reports. His daughter Laura shared the news , saying the 69-year-old had been healthy enough to play shows a few weeks ago. “He played down the ‘cold’ he thought he had,” she wrote, before warning […]

The post Musician Who Wrote ‘I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll’ Dies Of Coronaviru appeared first on Chano8.

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Banks close city branches due to coronavirus lockdown

Absa Bank Uganda on Tuesday closed its branches in Kampala and Entebbe following a 14-day ban on movement of private cars across the country.

In a notice to customers, the bank said that its branches upcountry remains open. It said, "All Absa branches in Kampala and Entebbe will be closed today 31 March 2020..."

Harriet Kasirye, the Absa Uganda head of marketing and corporate affairs, said "We're in the process of finalizing logistics in line with the president's directive issued last night. The operations position for the rest of the lockdown period will follow shortly."

Absa is not the only bank that had its operations disturbed because of the president's directives. Many banks opened late than usual as staff struggled to find means to reach their workplaces. Centenary bank in a statement issued at 11 am told customers that "our branches may open late due to the current lockdown".

"We're working on travel schedules for our staff to serve you with ease," Centenary bank said. 

President Yoweri Museveni directed on Monday night for a total lockdown of the country – including that private transport, restaurants, arcades, and malls shut down for 14 days in a bid to fight further spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Banks were identified as essential services, meaning they would stay open but have to find ways to reduce staff and manage their movement. 

Last week, the Bank of Uganda granted commercial banks' request to operate from 9 am to 3 pm on weekdays and then close branches at the weekends. Pride Microfinance also announced closure of all their branches due to difficulty of their staff getting to work. 

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Haiti doctors flee state-run hospital to avoid coronavirus infection

The seafoam green rooms of the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince are predominantly empty this week, absent the doctors and nurses who refuse to work for fear of becoming infected with the coronavirus.

Haiti has 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19, spanning four departments, Public Health minister Marie Greta Roy Clement told reporters Monday. More than 200 people are quarantined while they await test results, she said. Inside the state-run hospital, a handful of patients sit in plastic chairs waiting for their appointments with the few doctors on call. 

Joseph Lebien, who has worked at the hospital for 26 years, heads the labour union for hospital employees.

"We're standing in the orthopedics waiting room," he explained, showing a dilapidated room with old equipment in need of replacement and some benches.

"Under normal circumstances — meaning before the coronavirus pandemic — you would have seen plenty of patients sitting on these benches. But due to the coronavirus, this place is empty."

Lebien said many of the patients in the orthopedic ward are children with injuries to a limb, but as soon as news arrived that the first two people had tested positive for the lethal virus, most of the medical staff fled.

"The majority of doctors no longer come to work. They are asking the government to provide them with supplies and equipment necessary to protect themselves from the virus. So, this is where we stand," he told VOA. 

Staff doctors and nurses who agreed to speak to VOA before the country's first confirmed cases of coronavirus, admitted to being afraid.

"We are already working under conditions that are not normal for most hospitals, and now it's gotten worse," nurse Marie Catherine said. "The ministry of Public Health has never discussed with us its policy for what to do when we receive the first coronavirus case in Haiti."

The health minister disagreed, explaining that the government will equip designated hospitals with the necessary equipment. The hospital staff told VOA this week that they still do not have the necessary materials.

'Under God's mercy'

In the orthopedics ward, patients who were scheduled to undergo surgery in a week or a month were sent home, Lebien said. Others chose to leave to avoid the possibility of infection.

But some patients do not have the financial means to go home and are left to languish in their hospital beds. Nerciado Altidor was scheduled for foot surgery, which has been postponed indefinitely. He hobbled around on crutches inside the ward.

"I'm miserable," he said. "There are no doctors around. Nothing is functioning. The few of us who are here, it's not by choice. There's nothing here. I've been (in the hospital) for a year and four months."

Neciado Altidor, who is stuck at the hospital, hobbles around on crutches at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince

Altidor told VOA that other patients had fled without being discharged.

"They don't want to die from this contagion," he said. "There is no morale. We are under God's mercy."

Request for supplies, staff

General hospital plays a vital role in the community where it is located. Under normal circumstances, it is the go-to health care facility for people who can't afford a private hospital.

Although the health minister has said coronavirus patients would be treated only at designated hospitals around the country and that all medical staff would receive training on the pandemic, the staff remains unconvinced.

Lebien is asking the government for medical supplies and equipment that would allow the hospital to treat infected patients without putting the staff at risk.

"Patients should be able to be operated on. They should be able to be treated for what is ailing them. That's our request," he said.

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South Africa launches door-to-door coronavirus screening

South Africa is launching an aggressive coronavirus screening program as the total number of confirmed cases tops 1,000, the largest amount of any country on the continent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Monday night that at least 10,000 field workers will be going door-to-door in the next few days to conduct mass screenings and testing for the virus.

South Africa is already observing a 21-day lockdown aimed at containing the virus. Police have arrested scores of people for violating the lockdown.

Ramaphosa said there are 1,326 confirmed cases of the virus in South Africa and three people have died. So far, more than 5,000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus across Africa and 173 deaths reported.

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