Minister of Health, Dr Ruth Jane Aceng. COURTESY PHOTO.
Recent reports from the Ministry of Health show that Covid-19 cases in Uganda are again on the rise. Some say the general public has grown complacent, in part because of a “false” sense of security.
Critics say that sense of security may partly be due to Church leaders they claim are largely silent about the pandemic and its prevention efforts.
Speaking at Miracle Centre Cathedral – Rubaga, officials from the Ministry of Health said that Church leaders are a key communicator of government directives, able to counter among others fake news and misinformation.
“There is one peculiar thing you have as religious leaders, that is probably a big asset which you may not know. You do not invite people to come to places of worship, they come willingly. And when they come, they listen attentively. They don’t make noise, they don’t ask questions, they go back satisfied after listening to what you have said. That is a very big asset,” said Doctor Ronald M. Ochetre.
“Be our ambassadors to carry on the message to the congregation,” he added.
Mr Ochetre stated that the Ministry of Health has deliberate plans to engage as many stake holders as possible in this fight against Covid-19.
Dr. Mulungi Mariam Nantambi from the directorate of public health – Rubaga division also encouraged Pastors not to leave the Covid fight to the Ministry of Health alone.
She explained that it can be difficult for government projects and programmes to succeed if messages differ from the wider religious beliefs of the major denominations.
Dr Ochetre attributed Uganda’s ability to containing COVID-19 to God.
“We have Covid-19 in our country but when you look at what is happening in other counties, compared to what happens here, you realize that we must thank God,” he said.
“The fact that we have few reported cases of death, must allow us to thank God that He is working His miracles. But, we should not put God to test,” he went on. “When we become complacent, definitely we are going to have so many death cases.”
Because the situation created by Covid-19, Church buildings in Uganda have been under lockdown for 5 months now.
Earlier in March, the Minister of Health, Dr Ruth Jane Aceng had the opportunity to interact with a cross section of religious leaders in the central bussiness district. She oriented many on Covid-19, how it’s spread and prevention.
Dr Aceng was pleased that clergy had embarked on developing their guidelines on mass gatherings based on what we shared.
“Our strengthened partnership will increase awareness among communities about COVID-19 and its prevention,” she said then.
As of 24 August, 2020, Uganda had confirmed 99 new cases. This brings the cumulative total of confirmed cases to 2,362. Additionally, two (2) COVID-19 deaths were recorded bringing the total COVID-19 deaths to 22
