EGGWANGA nga lirindirira biki Pulezidenti Museveni by’agenda okwogera leero ng’eno omuwendo gw’abalwadde ba Kolona mu ggwanga gw’ongera kulinnya, ababaka ba Palamenti Allan Ssewanyana owa Makindye West ne Muhammad Nsereko owa Kampala Central baagala ayimirize ssente z’obupangisa, okuggyako amasannyalaze n’omusolo gw’amayumba.
Bano betwogeddeko nabo bw’atugambye, singa leero bino Pulezidenti anaabibuusa amaaso, ajja kuba aleseewo omuwaatwa munene nnyo mu kulwanyisa ekirwadde kya Kolona kuba abantu basula ku bwerinde olwa bannyini bizimbe ko n’amayumba mwe basula okwagala ssente z’obupangisa nga bino by’ebimu ku bibagaana okubeera mu maka gaabwe nga omukulu bweyabalagidde, ne badda mu kuguluba nga banoonya ssente.
Baagala Pulezidenti ayogere ku kya gavumenti ye okugabira buli maka ebikozesebwa mu kunaaba engalo (sanitizers) n’obugoye obw’okwebikka mu maaso (face masks).
“Tukimanyi nti ebyo byetumenye waggulu basobolera ddala okussibwa mu nkola kubanga minisitule y’ebyensimbi yasabye ennyongereza ya buwumbi 700 okulwanyisa Korona. Ezimu ku ssente ezo zisoboleraddala okukola ku byetwogendeko waggulu awo.” Ababaka bwebagambye ne balabula nti singa bino tebiikolweko, ekirwadde kyaliba ebizibu okutuula ku nfete.
POLICE at Kira road Police Station after being tipped off by good hearted people has today carried out an operation at two schools in Kampala, where 74 teachers were allegedly found teaching pupils amidst schools’ shutdown directive by President Museveni as a precaution to tame Coronavirus pandemic in Uganda.
The arrested 21 teachers were from Kabojja Junior School near Kampala Hospital and 53 Daffodil Primary School teachers.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy Spokesman Luke Owoyesigire, “These schools had openned their gates and pupils were comming in as usual. We carried out this operation and were able to arrest 74 teachers alongside 5 pupils who have been handed over to their parents after cautioning them.”
The arrested teachers denied being found teaching pupils, saying they children had come for interviews.
However Owoyesigire told journalists this evenning that, “The parents were stopped from taking their children to any school no matter it is for interviews, touring or any such kind of business.”
He said that should never happen due to the presidential directive to shutdown all schools to guard the country against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We want to urge any school director, headteacher or any one running a school to desist from any attempt of disobeying the Presidential directives. Our operations are on going, if any one is caught teaching during this shutdown, we will arrest and charge you accordingly.” Said Police Spokesman.
On Wednesday last week, President Museveni in a National address, directed all schoose to close down and sent over 15M students back home to avoid spreading of the virus.
He shutdown all places of worship, bars, banned burial functions of big groups of people and weddings.
Directing all schools to be shutdown on Friday and banning mass gatherings Museveni said, “We must do everything possible to ensure that this enemy (Coronavirus) does not come here. Does not find plenty of dry grass, piled up and ready for ignition. What is the dry grass that can help to start and sustain fire of Coronavirus epidemic?”
“It is the big masses of people, gathered togather and in close proximity. What are these masses of people that are gathered in groups that can easily aide the spread of the virus?” Asked the president.
Police has now warned all schools teachers obeying the presidential directive that they will be dealt with according to the law.
OPPOSITION MP Paul Ssemakula Luttamaguzi commonly known as Kasana representing Nakaseke South in the 10th Parliament has offered his salary to help government fight Covid-19!
During his weekly show ‘The Eagle’ on Next Media owned NBS television yesterday, Democratic Party (DP) legislator told viewers how he has already informed the Rt. Hon. Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga to use part of his salary in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
“I am not speaking on behalf of other members of Parliament, colleagues please don’t hang me. This is my personal monthly offer of UGX 2M. I want Rt. Hon. Speaker to deduct it from my salary.” Said Hon. Luttamaguzi.
On the show moderated by senior journalist Haji Baker Kazibwe who is Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) President, Hon. Luttamaguzi urged Ugandans to comply with all the measures put by President Museveni and the ministry of Health on how to tame Coronavirus.
“However because of acute poverty, am worried our people may fail to stay in their homes. This is why I have decided to offer my salary in helping them during this testing moment. Let others do the same.” Said Hon. Luttamaguzi.
Others who featured on this political show were FDC Deputy Secretary General Harold Kaija and Nakawa Deputy RCC Anderson Burora.
A few months ago, the same Luttamaguzi offered his monthly salaries to buy beds for Nakaseke government Hospital and paid all electricity bills.
KAMPALA Central legislator Muhammad Nsereko has warned that the adverse economic effects shall lead to self defeat of the principle of minimizing social contact as the best way to contain the spread of the corona virus.
In a statement released today morning, the Kampala Central business district MP thanked President Museveni and Ministry of Health officials for the job so far in a fight against Covid-19, “However the country needs both health and economic solutions to stop the spread of the CORVID 19 virus.”
“First I warned that the 100 dollars for quarantine was very expensive and would expose the deep rooted corruption and lack of patriotism amongst some elements in our institutions. Secondly I insist, the economic effects shall lead to self defeat of the spread of this Pandemic.” Noted MP Nsereko.
He said, “My suggestion is that Government undertakes A FIVE (5) plan solution economically to avert yet another crisis and boost confidence for people to stay home.”
HON. NSEREKO GIVES GOV’T A 5-PLAN ECONOMIC SOLUTION
Suspend payment of rent and evictions. This can be done by His Exellence the President signing into law the landlord and tenant bill that parliament passed. This shall in effect cover both commercial and residential tenants. In return land lords can be exempt from payment of rental income tax this financial year. This shall save 7 million tenants both commercial and residential level from unnecessary disruption.
By asking all utility companies to suspend charges for all bills like water and power for the next 120 days. In return the debts due to government companies be offset to the equivalent for example power UMEME. As for National water and sewerage corporation. It’s fully owned by government and should comply.
Central bank must suspend all interests payable on all loans just like all governments internationally have started negotiating with their creditors. In effect all interest payments are frozen for 180 days. This shall reduce pressure on landlords and business owners, small, medium and big and in return shall keep people on jobs and avert the catastrophe of unemployment. For example with closure of borders over 50,000 people shall loose jobs directly and indirectly.
Government should consider the option of people partially accessing their NSSF savings by between 10 to 30 percent depending on their amounts available. This shall enable workers stay home with the comfort that they have an option to access their savings and feed their families. The justification is that if NSSF could lend Bank Of Uganda 7 trillion by buying its treasury bills, why not lend or give those that save with it during such a crisis.
Government should avail rapid testing kits to make work of diagnosis easier and effective.Additionally also provide an extra allowance to the medical and health practitioners from ambulance drivers, Nurses, Doctors, Laboratory Assistants etc as a motivation to work harder , save lives but also know that we care that they put their lives on the line first.
MUNNAMATEEKA Joseph Luzige ssentebe wa disitulikiti y’e Mityana, ewuwe agobyeyo eby’obufuzi mu lutalo lw’okulwanyisa ekirwadde kya ‘Kolona’, agambye obululu babwagala kyokka tebajja kulondebwa bantu balwadde oba abafu.
Kati nno alangiridde ekikwekweto vvomwange ekitandika olwaleero mu ppaaka ya ttakisi e Mityana, ku maduuka ga Supermarket, amalwaliro, ebirabo by’emmere, obutale n’amaduuka agasuubuza, awanasangibwa nga tewali mazzi na ssabbuuni bikozesebwa basaabaze, abalwadde ne bakasitoma okunaama mu ngalo, ebifo ebyo byakuggalwa.
Bannyinibyo bakwatibwe era baggulweko emisango egy’ekuusa ku ku kujeemera ebiragiro by’omukulembeze w’eggwanga n’okulagajjalira obulamu bw’abantu.
Mu kiragiro kyeyafulumizza eggulo ku Ssande, Ssentebe Luzige yagambye tagenda kukkiriza bantu be kufa olwabannyini bizineesi abeesisiggirizza.
Yategeezezza nti, “Olunaku lwa leero nafunye ebiragiro okuva mu minisitule etwala eby’obulamu n’eyebyokwerinda mu ggwanga, mbategeeze Bannamityana bannange nti mu Uganda kyaddaaki twafunye omulwadde eyasoose ow’ekirwadde kya Kolona ekyakazibwako erya hCovid-19.”
Ssentebe Luzige aba minisitule baamutegeezezza ajjukize ebitundu ebiri mu disitulikiti gy’akulembera okwerinda ekirwadde kino ekyatuuse edda mu ggwanga.
“Bantegeezezza nti mu Mityana, Olwomukaaga baalumaze balambula ne bakizuula nti zi ssemaduuka (Supermarkets) ezisinga mu kibuga kya Mityana n’eziri mu bubuga obutonotono obw’enjawulo, tezinnasa mu nkola biragiro bya mukulembeze wa ggwanga nga okussaawo ebifo bakasitoma webanaabira engalo nga bayingira oba n’okufuluma.” Luzige bw bw’agambye mu kiwandiiko kyaweerezza Bannamityana.
Yangambye, “Mu ngeri y’emu era bantegeezezza nti n’ebirabo by’emmere ebisinga obungi, bikyeesuuliddeyo gwa Naggamba. Kuno kw’ossa amaduuka amanene agasuubuza ebintu mu Mityana agayingiza bakasitoma abangi nago gakyajeemye.”
“Kabuyonjo yaffe mu ppaaka ya ttakisi e Mityana nayo tewannasdibwawo mazzi na ssabbuuni nga ne ku miryango gya ppaaka, oguyingira n’ogufuluma tewali bikozesebwa basaabaze kunaaba mu ngalo.” Luzige bw’agambye ku mbeera eri mu Mityana.
Aba minisitule bamutumye ategeeze Bannamityana nti okutandika n’olunaku lwaleero, olukiiko lw’ebyokwerinda, abakungu okuva ku Poliisi ne mu gavumenti eya wakati, bagenda kuyita mu bibuga eby’enjawulo mu Mityana ttawuni ne mu byalo eby’enjawulo mu disitulikiti eno okuggala abo bonna abatannassa biragiro bya Pulezidenti mu nkola.
“N’olwekyo njagala kubakubira omulanga, bannyabo ne bassebo benjogeddeko waggulu awo naddala ab’amalwaliro gonna, obulwaliro obutonotono obwa gavumenti n’obwobwannanyini, ab’amaduuka ne mu ppaaka, musseewo ebikozesebwa mu kunaaba mu ngalo.” Munna NRM Luzige bw’agambye n’akkiririza nti, “Ate era nammwe abalina bizineesi ez’amaanyi zenjogeddeko, okutandika n’olunaku lw’enkya, ebifo byammwe biyinza okuggalwa singa binaaba tebitadde mu nkola biragiro bya gavumenti.”
Akakiiko k’ebyokwerinda aka disitulikiti katuula ku ky’okussa ebiragiro bya Pulezidenti mu nkola wabula Luzige agambye, ebiragiro ebipya byeyafunye okuva mu minisitule y’ebyobulamu bya njawulo nnyo, nti Mityana tennaba kugoberera bulungi biragiro bya Pulezidenti.
“Mikwano gyange njagala okubasaba, obulamu ky’ekisinga obukulu. Ensonga weeri eyaviiriddeko abaana b’amasomero okuzzibwa awaka, era bizineesi ezimu ne ziggalwawo kw’ossa amasinzizo ne kkooti.”Ssentebe Luzige bw’agambye n’ategeeza nti, “Obulwadde buno butta, tujje eby’obufuzi mu nsonga y’obulwadde buno nkimanyi twetaaga obululu bwammwe naye tetujja kubufuna nga mulwadde oba nga mufudde.”
“Nkimanyi mulina eddembe lyammwe ery’obuntu naye teriyimirirawo nga muli balwadde. N’olwekyo nsabiddwa okubawa okulabulwa kuno, okutuukiriza ebiragiro by’omukulembeze w’eggwanga mu bwangu nga tetunnabatuukako. Ssaabasajja Kabaka awangaale.” Ssentebe wa disitulikiti y’e Mityana bw’agambye.
Bino webiggyidde, ng’omukulembeze w’eggwanga yakoogerako eri bannayuganda omulundi ogw’okusatu mu bbanga lya nnaku nnya zokka, ku by’ekirwadde kya Kolona ekiri mu kulya ensi yonna kumpi kugimalawo.
Okunaaba mu ngalo ne ssabbuuni ly’erimu ku makubo agayambako mu kutta akawuka kano akeefudde mukoko mu ggwanga lya Italy emirambo gyegiyiika buli lunaku ekyaviiriddeko omukulembeze waayo okwogerako eri eggwanga lye ng’attulukusa amaziga olw’ekirwadde okubazimbako akayumba.
Pulezidenti Museveni agambye, ye ekirwadde k’akirwanyise mu ngeri ya kite kiyeekera, kwekuwa ebiragiro bannayuganda byebateekwa okulagira era alagidde ebitongole ebikuumaddembe okulaba nga ebiragiro by’awadde bigobererwa.
THE Archbishop Church of Uganda is featuring in the studios of 93.9fm Namirembe radio, a Church of Uganda owned radio station preaching against Coronavirus.
This is the Words of Hope radio program. The Archbishop is the Chairman Board of Governors Words of Hope Ministries Uganda.
He has said, ” Government has not banned churches, church can be in our homes, rooms. This is how early church behaved. Churches in our houses are very moment. This is a biblical mode. It is not new. This is family oriented, family must meet, worship, encourage, children and their parents. Let husbands take control as the pray togather. Husbands who have been going home very late, it is now your time to go back home early and lead home church. In a home church, every one contributes. This is a challenge.”
This comes after President Museveni suspended usual church prayers to tame Coronavirus Pandemic that is eating up the world killing hundreds.
Show is moderated by senior journalist David Kiwanda.
SSAABASAJJA Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II asiimye okuyimiriza emisinde gy’amazaalibwa ge gi mubunabyaalo egibadde egyokubeerawo omwezi ogujja nga 05/04/2020 ng’entabwe evudde ku kulanda kw’ekirwadde kya Kolona ekyafukamizza ensi yonna!
Wabula Katikkiro ategeezezza nti amakakkalabizo g’Obwakabaka gaggya kugenda mu maaso n’okuweereza abantu.
Bino webiggyidde, nga Pulezidenti Museveni y’akaggala amasomero 5000 n’alagira abayizi abali eyo mu bukadde 15 okudda ewaabwe, amasinzizzo gaggaddwa, ebinywero n’ebifo ebisanyukirwamu byonna ne biwerebwa ssaako enkungana z’ebyobufuzi, embaga n’okuziika okuliko abantu abangi.
Okusinziira ku kiwandiiko ekifulumiziddwa olwaleero ne kissibwako omukono gwa Mukuumaddamula Charles Peter Mayiga (CPM), emikolo gy’Obwakaba gyonna awamu 22 giyimiriziddwa okutuusa ng’embeera eteredde.
EMIKOLO GY’OBWAKABAKA EGIYIMIRIZIDDWA GIIGINO
Okulambula kwa Ssaabasajja e Kakuuto n’e Mutukula nga 19- 20/03/2020
Emizannyo gy’abaana mu Lubiri e Mmengo nga 20/03/2020
Olukiiko lwa Buganda nga 23/03/2020
Okusisinkana ba Ssentebe ba disitulikiti za Buganda nga 24/03/2020
Olukubaganya ebirowoozo ku nsonga z’amazzi n’obutonde bw’ensi e Ntebe nga 24/03/2020
Enkyuukakyuuka mu lutuula lwa kabineeti olwa nga 26/03/2020. Luno lujja kugenda mu maaso naye ku nkola ey’olukomo emanyiddwa nga ‘Teleconference’ oba ‘Zoom conference’ oba okutuula okutuula nga twewadde amabanga ga mita nnamba.
Okutongoza ekitongole ekirabirira ebisolo n’ebinyonyi e Nabweru nga 27/03/2020
Empaka za Volleyball nga 27/03/2020
Embaga y’Omw. Mugwanya Kagombe e Masaka nga 28/03/2020 Katikkiro tajja kugyetabako
Okutongoza kaweefube wa Mwanyi terimba, olunaku lw’ettaka, obwegassi n’obutonde bw’ensi e Busujju nga 31/03/2020
Empaka za Squash nga 02/04/2020
Emisinde gy’amazaalibwa ga Kabaka nga 05/04/2020
Olukiiko lw’abamagombolola n’abaminisita nga 07/04/2020
Olukiiko lwa kabineeti nga nalwo lujja kuba lwa ku lukomo nga 09/04/2020
Mmisa y’amazaalibwa ga Kabaka e Lubaga nga 13/04/2020
THE Justice Forum (JEEMA) political party has today released a press statement on the coronavirus epidemic saying, by directing over 15M students to go back to their respective homes was unnecessary, the President acted in a panic mode!
In a statement signed and read out to journalists at the Party Headquaters in Mengo Kampala, JEEMA President Hon. Asuman Basalirwa said, “We recognize that prevention is better than cure but it is also important not to act in a panic mode. A self-imposed quarantine may have far reaching negative ramifications economically, politically, spiritually and socially hence calling for a delicate balance. Some of the measures proposed by government require further scrutiny.”
“For instance, wouldn’t it be easier to control learners in boarding schools than at home where some parents may not exercise enough restrictions on their children and those in day schools guided on the best behavioral tendencies?” Asked JEEMA President.
Secondly, he asked, “How will government and school administrators account for the 32 days off to the parents that paid fees for a full term or semester?”
“We also believe that the said measures would have been accompanied by appropriate legal instruments and implementation/monitoring mechanisms. There should have been clear sanctions for any eventual breaches and violations of the proposed measures, to create clarity and effectiveness.” Explained Hon. Basalirwa.
He said it’s true a new strain of corona virus, COVID-19 that was initially discovered in the Huabei Province of China has now affected the entire world prompting the World Health Organisation to declare it as a pandemic but the measures given by Uganda government to tame this virus are wanting.
In his address to the country yesterday the 18th of March, 2020, President Museveni outlined several preventive and containment measures including but not limited to closure of all educational institutions and congregational prayers of all denominations for the next 32 days. Hon. Basalirwa dont agree with closing schools saying it was unnecessary.
He says, “Whereas Jeema welcomes the aforementioned measures, there are remarkable gaps that require serious consideration. What are the 32 days’ shutdown intended to achieve since we have no confirmed case of the virus?”
“When China placed a 7-week quarantine on Wuhan, it was intended to slow down the virus and/or minimize/obliterate it completely. They closed entry from all affected countries and discouraged travel to the worst hit areas.” Said JEEMA President asking, “What will happen after the 32 days shutdown in Uganda? Will the quarantine be lifted in case there are no reported cases of the virus or it will continue as a precautionary measure?”
JEEMA FULL STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS
Jeema is equally concerned that the President did not address the economic impact of the virus and the measures to address them.
COVID-19 will definitely plunge the country into an economic imbroglio. Already the tourism sector, a leading foreign exchange earner that contributes about 10% to our GDP is suffering drastically.
The country is likely to lose close to 10 trillion this year if the impact persists. How does government plan to support that sector? We propose that government should consider announcing adequate fiscal and monetary interventions to create a stimulus for the economy.
To this regard, we propose that government considers capping and/or lowering interest rates to facilitate borrowing, extend loans and accessible credit facilities to businesses and vital sectors like the tourism, travel and hotel industry, extend tax cuts on sanitary chemicals/products, give tax holidays and exemptions to struggling businesses and entities.
Since hygiene is a key containment aspect, we propose a reduction on water and power tariffs as an interim measure.
Jeema also expected the President to comment on the current status of the health facilities in the country. This financial year, Ug.shs.2.6 trillion was allocated to the health sector. Not only is it insufficient but COVID-19 was not anticipated.
We are also aware that the Contingency fund in the budget has been depleted to cater for the locusts’ invasion and the Bududa landslides. Government needed to give assurance on the financial resources available to deal with COVID-19.
We propose that money be availed from other sectors to avail at a free or subsidized cost face masks and sanitizers to at least the most vulnerable and impecunious communities like the elderly and disabled.
We also propose that government considers training volunteers to handle simple basics.
JEEMA PARTY APPLAUDS SPEAKER KADAGA
They said, “We are aware that President Museveni held a meeting with an American Professor Sarfaraz Niaz, a reknown inventor of pharmaceutical patents but the details of the said meeting were not disclosed in his address.”
SALUTED: Rt. Hon. Kadaga
“We applaud the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda the Rt. Hon.Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga for disclosing to the country the works of Prof. Niazi especially his efforts in making healthcare affordable.” Said Hon. Basalirwa, adding explaining further that, “Rather than denigrating and bashing the Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga for her revelations and good intentions, bodies like the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) should be working towards understanding the scientific works of the said scholar and advising on how best the country could benefit from his vast knowledge and expertise.”
“It is unfair for UMA and some sections of the public to dismiss the Speaker’s statements without verifying the authenticity of the assertion that there is an effective disinfectant against COVID that the country can exploit and that the said professor was its developer. We hope that the said matter will be clarified by UMA and other relevant authorities.” JEMMA statement reads.
On the whole Jeema considers President Museveni’s address on the current situation of COVID-19 as timely but falls short of addressing the salient key economic stimulants and incidental issues as herein above enumerated.
“Nonetheless, we call upon all Ugandans to adhere to the said guidelines and/or regulations for the good of our country and for the wellbeing of everyone.” Said JEEMA Party president
THE Archbishop Church of Uganda The Most Rev. Steven Kaziimba Mugalu has given out nine ways to Bishops, cleargy and Christians on how to go about President Museveni’s directive to close all Churches and other places of worship in a fight against Coronavirus epidemic.
Scientific weddings president Museveni talked about yesterday
“While it will be very difficult for us not to gather together,” Archbishop Kaziimba has however said, this was inevitable and Church must stand with His Excellency the President in this decision because it will help save lives.
He noted that, “When we have a State of Emergency, we also need Prayers of Emergency. So, I also call on the President to declare a weekly Day of National Prayer during this season to bring us all together in repentance and faith.”
The newly enthroned Archbishop is the Chairman Boards of Directors words of Hope Ministries Uganda which has branches in 18 Dioceses.
He is deputized by his longtime friend Rev. Can. Capt. Titus Baraka.
Through his leadership at the Words of Hope Ministries Uganda, they own radio stations in Mbarara Diocese and other parts of the country.
Quoting the Holly Bible, Dr. Kaziimba said, “As Christians and as the church, we value life and support all efforts to promote life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10.10)’.
In his Statement dated March 18th 2020, Kaziimba has said, by President Museveni announcing the decision of the government to close down all public religious gatherings, including churches, for 32 days, he did this as a father who advises his children on the best way they can stay safe and healthy.
“This decision will have a big impact on how we live and worship as Christians for the next few weeks, and I want to provide some additional guidance to what our President shared.” Statement reads.
ARCHBISHOP’S FULL STATEMENT ON WAY FORWARD
In my Charge, I encouraged the church to develop new tools for ministry and outreach, including radio, television, and social media. I never expected the need for these new tools to come so quickly.
But, here we are. A great evangelist once said, “Your setback can be a setup for our comeback.”
As I shared in last week’s pastoral letter, I want to begin by reminding you of Jesus’ command to not be anxious.
In Lamentations 3.21-23, the Bible says, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
People have asked me, ‘If we can’t meet for worship in church on Sundays and mid-week, how will we have church?’.
Yes, it will be hard to not meet together on Sundays, but we should be assured of Jesus’ words, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18.18).
9 WAYS TO GO ABOUT THE DIRECTIVE
1. I have already encouraged Home Cells in my Charge and they are the ideal place for Sunday worship to take place. Some cells may need to sub-divide so they are no more than 10 people. But, Sunday worship can take place with home cells in homes, observing, of course, the appropriate behaviours of not shaking hands or hugging and keeping at least one metre of distance between you and others. If you’re sick, please stay home.
2. I am calling on all husbands and fathers to step up and take responsibility for leading your families in daily home prayers and in Sunday worship. The Family is the smallest church, and every home needs its, “Family Altar.”
3. Some churches have developed the capacity for online streaming of worship services. I call on you to expand that capacity for also broadcasting services without the presence of a congregation. Please also share with your diocese and the provincial office the times and online address for these broadcasts, so others can benefit.
4. We are asking all Bishops to develop “Radio Church,” and asking all radio stations to collaborate with the church under these extraordinary circumstances and provide airtime on Sunday mornings to broadcast local language worship services into every home.
5. We also encourage all Bishops to link with local TV stations for ways to broadcast a local language Sunday service through television. I want to emphasize how this situation reminds us of our great need for a church TV station, as I identified in my Charge, and I hope we will now understand the urgency for it.
6. I will be recording a daily devotion to be circulated on social media and I encourage you to access the devotion through the Church of Uganda’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts. Please use it with your family and home cells. www.facebook.com/ChurchOfUgandaNamirembe/. www.twitter.com/ChurchOfUganda and www.twitter.com/Archbishop_COU.
7. There is an African Proverb that says, “When an African sings, he prays twice.” In Italy, where communities have been locked down for several weeks already, residents in apartment buildings and nearby homes are singing together from their balconies and front doors. Please, take the initiative and be a blessing to your neighbours by singing songs of praise and worship together in our communities…but at a distance!
8. I also want to encourage Christians to reach out to one another in as many ways as possible – phone calls, text messages, social media – so we continue to encourage one another in our faith. This is especially important for the elderly and those who may be isolated. Please make sure they have the practical, emotional, and spiritual support of the Christian community.
9. Do not neglect to worship God through your tithes and offerings.
TITHES & OFFERINGS
a. Bishops and Clergy should explain to their Christians how to use online banking, if available, to continue giving weekly tithes and offerings.
b. Alternatively, using Mobile Money may be another means.
c. It may be possible to pass by your local church during the week and give your offering privately.
d. If none of those are available, I urge every Christian to set aside their weekly tithes and offerings. When we do come back together again – and, we will! – we will have a big in-gathering as a Thanksgiving to God for his great faithfulness (Lam 3.21-23).
WARNING CHURCH
We all know that there are some bad people in the world who will try to take advantage of this crisis.
I’ve already heard about people posing as health officials selling or giving away face masks, but the face masks will sedate people who then get robbed and abused. Likewise, waragi is still not your friend. Stay away from it. Be careful.
Finally, I want us all to seize the spiritual opportunity that is being given to us through this crisis.
The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7.13-14, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
I call for this season to be a season of prayer and fasting for our people and our land.
When the Lord shows you areas you need to repent personally, please do it.
Finally, don’t forget to sing about God’s faithfulness in your homes and communities. Why? Because “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3.21-23)
JUST like we told you today morning, President Museveni has directed that 50,092 schools and other higher institutions of learning on Friday March 20th 2020 must be closed, parents should pick their children by mid day!
This is when government can be in position to ascertain whether the country is totally free of the pandemic!
In all this, students that will be affected are over 15M especially P.7, S.4 and S.6 candidates.
Addressing the Nation at State House Entebbe on Wednesay evenning about Coronavirus, Mr. Museveni read out 13 directives which must be followed if the country is to tame this deadly virus which has invaded the world claiming lives of human race!
Directing all schools to be shutdown on Friday and banning mass gatherings Museveni said, “We must do everything possible to ensure that this enemy (Coronavirus) does not come here. Does not find plenty of dry grass, piled up and ready for ignition. What is the dry grass that can help to start and sustain fire of Coronavirus epidemic?”
“It is the big masses of people, gathered togather and in close proximity. What are these masses of people that are gathered in groups that can easily aide the spread of the virus?” Asked the president.
M7 DESCRIBES CORONAVIRUS
He said: It looks like a crown. This is a new virus that belongs to the family of the common cold. It makes some people very sick because being a new virus, all of may not have immunity against it. Because we have never been exposed to it.
Will Uganda survive?
Fortunately, after listening carefully to our scientists, and after watching commentators in the countries where this virus is already active, it seems to have two characteristics that will help us to survive it and defeat it.
Number one, it does not kill many of the people infected. 150000 infected world wide by yesterday, only about 5000 of them had died. Which works at 3%.
With Ebola in Uganda, the percentage of the people dying was 67%. So it seems Coronavirus doesn’t kill as much as Ebola.
Secondly, this virus enters the body only through the soft parts of the body. Like the nose, eyes and the mouth. It can not go through an intact skin like some of the diseases use to like Leprosy used to do which spread by sharing clothes.
So that means, such diseases could easily enter through other parts not necessarily the soft parts like Coronavirus does.
This therefore means, that if even you go closer to the body of infected person, he or she can only infect you if she sneezes (blowing out) or coughing. If the infected person sneezes or coughs out near you, so that the tiny and invisible mucus or spittle small saliva enter your nostrils, although the infected materials from the body land on the surface like a table, the chair, a door handle, where the virus can stay alive for three hours, and then you touch it, and then you touch your soft parts of the body, the eyes, the mouth and the nose.
That is how it will affect you. It is either you are near someone who sneezes out or who coughs out, or what he coughs lands on a surface where the virus can stay alive for three hours, and when you touch there and touch your soft parts, that is when it can affect you.
WHAT CABINET RESOLVED
Museveni said: The cabinet under my chairmanship on Monday day March 16th 2020 sat and decided as follows; Although the key ration of the virus is not very high compared to for instance Ebola, this is only if the victims are in perfect health. The virus would kill only 3% of those infected if the 100% are in perfect health. Only 3% will die.
With health, young people for instance, some information says that an infected person may not even know he or she is infected. Coronavirus can go through him or her without any one knowing that was attacked.
The real danger in our society however, is for the old people, 70 years and above, and people with other diseases that they have been surviving with. Such as TB, HIV, Diabetes, Hypertension and Cancer. It is these that you will be very sick or even die.
Since we have a very large number of people living with HIV (1.4M), having Diabetes (800,000),Hypertension (4.8M), TB (100,000 per a year), I didn’t get cancer figures.
CLOSING SCHOOLS
The Head of State said: The National resistance movement has promoted education. As a consequence today, there are 10.7M children in the primary schools, 2M children in the pre-primary schools, 2M students in the secondary schools, 314000 students in the universities and Tertiary institutions. This is a total of almost 15M young ugandans distributed in 36000 both private and public primary schools, 7000 private and public pre primary schools, 5500 secondary schools government and private, 49 universities and 1543 Tertiary institutions, technical schools, teachers training colleges, vocation schools, etc.
This is a total of 5688 points with concentrations of 1000 or more persons each.
So these 15M Ugandans are gathered in 51000 points in the former ofor schools, colleges and so on.
When I visited Masaka SS in Masaka town, it had 4000 students without counting other unknown pupils staying in that compound. It is therefore wise that we temporarily remove these concentration points by closing all the primary and secondary schools, President primary as well as all the universities and Tertiary institutions for one Month starting with Friday March 20th 2020 at mid day.
All these institutions without exception should close so that we deny this virus those concentrations.
The 42M Ugandans are divided into about 8M homesteads. Once the education population goes home, they will disperse into these homesteads that have much less concentrations.
If the 15M where to disperse equally into the 8M homesteads, each homestead will take two students.
So these concentration groups, you go home and the concentration disappears. And if all the homesteads are to receive equal numbers, each one will get two additional people. It is a smart way of avoiding this concentration in the face of this danger.
I have decided to close the educational institutions even before the occurance of a single Coronavirus incident because I have observed the situations in other countries. Once the epidemic breaks up, there is so much stamped and the first aspect to be affected is the transport.
You have seen how airports were crowded with people. That crowding is a perfect ground for new infections. In trying to run away, I think people will get more infections thanot when people were still in one place. Let us move early to avoid the stamped.
CHURCHES, MOSQUES SHUTDOWN
“Once we deal with the concentrations in Education institutions,” Said Museveni, “The next concentration we must deal with are the religious gatherings. Prayers in Churches, in Mosques, open air prayers, services on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.”
He told the Nation: In the interest of our Peoples health, this should be suspended for a period of one month with immediate effect.
Prayers will continue but in homes. When I was reading the Catechism at Kyamate in 1957, one of the things I learnt, God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent. Since God is everywhere, let’s pray from our homes. Yes we have been praying togather it has got its advantages, but if it has got a danger, then surely logically we can not insist.
The religious leaders can use the radio and television stations to continue preaching. It’s only Pope Francis as usual set a good example of enlightenment on this very matter by abandoning his customary preaching in St. Peters Square and instead using the television. I saw the Pope. He is the one who took the initiative that ‘Please don’t come i dont want any one to be sick and say I am the one who called you..’ They Pope is honest and courageous. I think he is preparing his way to heaven.
PUBLIC & CULTURAL GATHERINGS
The next category of mass meetings are the political or cultural public meetings. Public rallies, conferences, elections, etc. All these are hereby forbidden for 32 days with immediate effect.
OUTBOUND MOVEMENT
On this Museveni said: Up to today, March 18th 2020, Uganda by the mercy of God has been spared by not having even 1 case confirmed of the coronavirus. There have been false alarms. However, there are countries in the world that have had many cases. Countries like Italy, France, South Korea, China, USA, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Norway, Austria, Malaysia, Pakistan and Sunmorino.
With immediate effect, we ban all outbound movement by Ugandans to or through these countries again for 32 days.
Foreigners going to those countries are free to do so provided they don’t intend to come back within the prohibited time. We extend our sympathies to those countries and commend them for fighting on behalf of the human race.
UGANDANS COMING HOME FROM THE DIASPORA
Museveni said: We can not stop Ugandans comming back from abroad even if in one of the category one countries mentioned above. However, such Ugandans will be put in a mandatory quarantine in a designated place but they will pay the cost for food and other services. If they want to avoid inconvenience or cost, let them remain in the country of their temporary aboard and stay there until the problem is over. Actually we have told our students abroad to stay there.
NON AGRICULTURAL WORK PLACES
Such as factories, Hotels, large plantations, markets, taxi parks, etc. These should continue functioning but with standard operating procedures put out by the ministry of health. These can continue operating but with guidelines. With the dos and the don’ts put up by the ministry of health. These will include compulsory handwashing by persons who enters or exit those work places, any body with symptoms of sickness shouldn’t be allowed to access that work place for any reason, the employers should install temperature monitors, etc..The ministry will publish the details.
WEDDINGS BANNED
Museveni said: The issue of Uganda stylish weedings that brings togather a pentagon of groups. These include the clan members of the bride groom, the clan members of the bride, the maternal clans of the two sides, the school alumni, neighbours and friends.
Big gatherings of people comming for wedding can be a source of great danger. We have therefore decided that weddings of this type should suspended. If couples are in hurry, they should go for a purely scientific weddings. Only involving the core stakeholders who are the bridegroom, the bride, the best man, the matron and the priest or CAO as long as the number is less than 10 people. Later at an appropriate time, it can be followed by a Ugandan stylish marriage.
FUNERALS
A funeral gathers relatives, friends, associates, neighbours etc, turn up in big numbers. Again with this virus, it is a danger point. Many people can be infected from there. Giving directives on this Museveni stated that: We can not ban or postpon burials for 32 days. It can not be rational. Therefore we recommend, the burial is done by the relatives who are near by. They should be the ones to burry. Then the mourning could be later when the rituals could be done. This may combine both science and culture. Most importantly, will be safe for the participants. If the person has died ofrom Coronavirus, the state will take over without involving the family as we did for the Ebola victims. We should not replicate the lack of enlightenment that was exhibited in West Africa where the rituals of washing the dead bodies was maintained even when people were dying from Ebola. Both the bathers of the dead bodies also ended up dying themselves in service of a non scientific cultural practice. By confronting this disease with enlightened scientific based actions, we shall defeat it as we did with Ebola and Aids.
FARMERS
Crop, cattle, and fishermen, these should follow hygiene practices especially the fishermen. Monthly markets will however be suspended for 32 days. Effective immediately.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Boda bodas, Mini buses, buses, taxis. The advice is not to travel unless if necessary (if using public means). If you do not have your private car stay home if travel is not essential. Companies that operate these means should follow SOPs (precautions) by MoH. However in the event of an outbreak, public transport will be forbidden and area will be isolated. Effective immediately.
TEMPORARILY STOPPED MERRY MAKING, DISCOS, SPORTS, MUSIC SHOWS, BARS, CINEMAS, CONCERTS. Suspended for 32 days. Effective immediately.
HYGIENE must be maintained. Reference to Ministry of Health recommendations.
PROPER NUTRITION
Government has urged Ugandans to feed well, eat greens and fruits to boost their immune system
