This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
On August 5, 2020, Uganda recorded its first Covid-19 death, a significant milestone in the country's fight against the pandemic. The news sparked a mix of emotions, but one thing was certain - Ugandans would find a way to cope with the loss of life.
Death is a universal reality, and in Uganda, it has been handled with a wry sense of humor. From the assassination of Assistant Inspector General Felix Kaweesi in 2017 to the death of musician Mowzey Radio, the nation has used humor to process the unthinkable.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, the jokes have already begun. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been at the forefront of the country's response to the virus, has not been spared. His addresses to the nation, which were once a regular occurrence, have become less frequent, and the government's promise to provide face masks to every citizen has been met with skepticism.
As the death toll rises, Ugandans are bracing themselves for the hard jokes that will inevitably follow. The country's history of using humor to cope with death suggests that the pandemic will be no exception. With the first Covid-19 death already recorded, it's only a matter of time before the jokes start flowing.
