This archive report was first published on 28 June 2021.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is facing a daunting challenge as the country struggles to contain the spread of Covid-19, driven by the highly infectious Delta strain.
According to the latest figures, the country's cumulative cases have risen to 75,000, with over 20,000 reported in the past month alone. The situation has become so dire that the government has been forced to declare a national prayer day on June 25, with President Museveni urging Ugandans to avoid sickness and follow health protocols.
However, despite the president's efforts, the virus continues to spread rapidly, with 204 deaths reported in the past week. The situation has been exacerbated by a shortage of oxygen supply and admission space in government hospitals, leaving many patients to opt for home care with little monitoring from health professionals.
Health authorities have introduced rapid diagnostic tests at government health centres to increase the rate of testing and reduce the time taken to receive results. Additionally, the government has set up tents in the compounds of regional referral hospitals and is recruiting medical workers to man them.
However, the situation remains critical, with the government struggling to contain the spread of the virus. The country's economy is also feeling the pinch, with the lockdown affecting small traders and businesses. The government has announced measures to stimulate economic recovery, including a $30 million loan from the IMF, but the road to recovery will be long and arduous.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, President Museveni is facing criticism from citizens and policy analysts, who accuse the government of lowering its guard and letting in new lethal variants. The government has been accused of improperly spending Covid-19 relief cash meant to cushion and prepare the health sector for the second wave.
Policy analyst Mwambustya Ndebesa said, 'It has become convenient for the government to blame citizens in Uganda for the surge of covid-19. No mention of state weaknesses at all. If the state cannot accept its faults and work on them we are doomed.'
