
Update on the COVID-19 Outbreak in Uganda (15.04.2020)






“Don’t sit here and say because it has spread in Europe, it will spread here. Please analyse your own situation, I don’t like that ‘monkeyism’ of copying this and that “ – Yoweri Kaguta Musveni (14.04.2020).
The President and his handlers had to move the speech, the National Address to earlier in the day. As the business day and the final day of the 14 days lockdown. That’s why the President hurried his two hour long speech. “Another One” like DJ Khaled would say over his tracks. The President who preside and his words are decrees. Still, not insisting on a “State of Emergency”, as that would make him culpable of review by the Parliament. That is why he uses the micro-managing efforts and campaign speeches. To look humble, but also sort of campaigning.
That is why his trying to deflect the shortcomings, but instead looking at things that are working. The President is only receiving the good news and only directing more measures to the civil servants and the ones has appointed. Not making more money for the RDCs or LC1 ones. They are just supposed to snap their fingers and let the trouble vanish. Therefore, hard to take him to serious, even when its detrimental. Ironic right? Well, the dire need doesn’t stop the horrific method of control, while playing footsie from the top.
The President could have used protocol, but instead uses his words. His the “High Above” and proves that by the way this lockdown has been and how the Second 21 days will be. As the Institutions, the government appointments and whatnot scrambles to follow the “guidelines”. Which is hurried through a speech, instead of put down in paper and voted on Parliament. Because the President cannot be questioned, he can only lecture the public.
Top quotes from today:
“These Ugandans, money can kill them. Where there is money, Ugandans will die. We were talking about death and saying do not carry people because you do not know whether they are carrying a virus, private car owners saw an opportunity to become taxis” – Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).
“I know Ugandans, I led them through the war so these things we are talking (sleeping in markets and other workplaces) are nothing to us especially when we are doing them for our health, we should just give them treated mosquito nets” – Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).
“It seems our people are not used to manning this type of emergency. When we say the RDC is the one to give exemption, he should set up an operations office to receive calls, because the RDCs are busy” – Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).
“‘The Government has decided to extend the lockdown for the next 21 days. All measures will stay in place during this period and this will help us fight the Covid19” – Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).
With this in mind, we see the issues at hand. The way he describes the manners and takes the sword. The way he still speaks of the Bush to people who never seen it or lived through it. As most of the citizens was born after the Bush War and the 1986 coup d’etat. Still, the President proclaims it like nothing.
He says the RDC should do more, however, he never given them authority nor justification to do so. No budget, no funds and no direct order before now. He want them to do this out of pocket without guidelines and create something out of nothing. Suddenly local RDCs will drop phone numbers and lines, have their secretaries and whatnot taken calls like they are MTN. Well, that is not governing, but instead creating havoc for the ones who are appointed to promote government work and follow Presidential directives. However, that should be directed to them individually and not over the speaker on a random National Address. That is who you micro-managing without following protocol.
It will be three more weeks after two weeks of lockdown. Surely, the state has deliver more posho, rice and beans. Even other items and needed goods. Surely, the appointed people for the donation fund against COVID-19 needs more. As the need will go dire, as there will 5 weeks without hawking, selling or trading. There will be five weeks without work and the needed gig-economy. This will hurt the pockets of the public. The state has to direct even more funds and more coordinating work. Not only from the Office of the Prime Minister, but the whole fleet of the President’s entourage.
A speech like this has its funny moments, but the poor, the “vulnerable” and everyone whose hurting the last two weeks. Will be even more hurt by another 3 weeks. That’s five weeks of uncertainty and awaiting the opportunity to earn shillings. This has to be addressed. Not only temporary, but state the facts that remains. He didn’t address this, but its needed. Unless, he thinks people can live on air and a prayer. Peace.







“I saw a video of so many people on the Northern bypass walking and running around that, they are exercising. This should stop. If you want to exercise, you can do that indoors. I will show you how it is done tomorrow. I will do a video for you” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (08.04.2020)
There is never a dull moment in the lectures of President Museveni. Because of the reports of the people running on the roads in Kampala. The President is now stopping that, as the social distance isn’t followed. He will now make a copy of Kanye West’s “Work-Out Plan” Music-Video. Surely, he will do it in a way. Who knows whose of his team who will help him. This can be as funny as the parodies of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”. Since his not that athletic nor a sporty.
We can see more of this speech or National Address, as the COVID-19 Lockdown continues. The President continues show his ways. The micro-managing. Surely, somewhere, someone is printing papers and writing new guidelines. Internal Circulars within the LDUs, Police Force and Soldiers are trying to comply to the new regulations. This is the way they do it.
“Our job was to scatter the dry grass (gatherings) but on the other hand block the people with the matchbox or stress those who have entered (Infected people). But actually this virus is easy if you follow the guidelines” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
“The house is on fire.. People should stop talking about normalcy in a time of abnomarlcy.. We are not fighting with the disease, we are fighting with social indiscipline” – Yoweri Kaguta Musveni
Clearly, the President is tired of the ones not complying to his words, his orders and the lockdown itself. He is clearly angered and unhappy. That is why his saying people is indisciplined and need to listen. That is why his saying its serious and people needs to listen. In this instance it is true. As the contagious disease of COVID-19/Coronavirus is dangerous. Stay home, stay safe and wash hands. Use social distancing measures, only go out if you need and get groceries. That is how it is around the globe. Even as the President is limiting even more.
However, his continuing to pound on the needs of cars. Like cars can heal the sickness. The state are having trouble if this disease gets big or start to spread hard. The Health Care system isn’t prepared for that. That is why the President is going out so hard. However, his key thing to beat this except for social discipline is cars.
“We need 1,400 vehicles to cover all districts” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
So, he keeps on hampering on this one. The cars given is clearly not enough. He is addicted to cars, not ventilators, nor PPE. Neither sanitizers or anything else. Because Uganda is prepared like he also said in the Address. His steady addressing of the state. Still, his not heavy with legislation nor with written word on the needed changes within the lockdown. Like he thinks its better to point out small changes all the time. Instead of pushing further restrictive legislation. That is why he even stops the Boda-Boda from operating after 2 am now. That is how it is!
Let’s see how his doing and how this will play out. There is always one Authority, one other leader who has jump hoops after an address. Since, they were not prepared for the work ahead. Just like the stickers last time. Peace.
