This archive report was first published on 29 October 2021.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni announced on Thursday that schools will reopen in January, regardless of the country's low vaccination uptake.
According to Museveni, the schools will reopen in January, along with the rest of the economy, as the government aims to revive the country's economy.
However, the vaccination rate remains a concern, with fewer than three million jabs administered for a population of approximately 45 million.
Despite having 4.7 million vaccines available, with a further 23 million doses expected by the end of the year, Ugandans have shown reticence to get vaccinated.
Museveni urged citizens to get vaccinated, stating that "right now 4.7 million vaccines" are available, and that "by the end of December 2021, 12 million people should have been vaccinated," including vulnerable individuals and health and education workers.
He also warned that "even if you don’t come out for vaccination, we will open the schools and the economy," and that "if anything goes wrong, the moral responsibility is yours."
With their careers on hold, many teachers have switched to other jobs to support their families, and some have expressed doubts about returning to the classroom due to concerns about making a living with many schools heavily in debt.
Published on October 29, 2021 by AFP.
