COVID-19: We are all affected.

This disease, just like many others before it, was just that, a disease. I being an African where diseases and famines according to Eurocentric writers is home to such calamities. It didn’t move me much until I saw the victims it had claimed in Wuhan, China.

To be truthful to you, it’s symptoms sounded more like those I have heard people complain about in my place of abode.

When the government of Uganda, took mitigation measures such as the closing of bars and clubs, lodging, schools and places of worship, stopping of none food traders from open markets and later on shops that is when I realized that, it that serious. The last straw on the back of a camel was when public transport and private cars were stopped and curfew that runs from 7:00 pm to 6:30 am was put in place. I saw people who were cut off from their families, people who were discharged from hospitals but couldn’t go home because of the stopping of public transport, the sick people who given referrals but couldn’t go because of lack of transport, and where an ambulance was available, it was so costly for them.

I saw people who lost all their sources of livelihood overnight, and those who adapted to the new life by swiftly changing their businesses to dealing with the edibles in case they had the capital. For example, my neighbour who has been operating a salon and a church is now dealing in fresh foods.

In Buliisa, greetings are incomplete without shaking hands, but COVID-19 has made it something of the past, burials have become a family rather than a community affair, sometimes with the inspection from security organs to ensure few people turn up, people have been burying their loved ones on the third day after their death but, today, burials take place a day after death.

Marriage ceremonies have been cancelled or postponed and in some cases, they carry out what has come to be known as a scientific marriage where less than ten people are allowed to attend the ceremony in order to observe social distance.

Visitors are welcomed with caution as everyone mistrusts another, and looks at them as a possible carriers of Corona virus.

I call upon everyone to observe SOPs to avoid contracting and transmitting the disease. Health is wealth.

#Keepdistance #WASH

Kiiza Wilson

Bugungu Heritage and Information Centre

Kizikya Cell, Buliisa District