The President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced another lockdown for 42 days which started on Sunday 20th June, 2021 at 10:00 pm. The President
ordered the closure of schools and institutions of higher learning. This directive started on Monday 21st June, 2021, however, students and parents were given three days to allow them travel to their home districts before suspension of non-essential travel between districts was put into effect. This measure was an attempt to stem out a worrying trend in the rise in COVID-19 cases that were visible in big towns and cities.
This situation became very critical especially for students from up country areas who had to board buses from Bus parks located within Kampala City. After bus operators learnt that
inter-district travels would not be allowed after three days, they took advantage of the situation to hike bus fares for both inward and out ward travels. This caused another big problem for
students who use buses to go to their home districts. Multitudes of students with their belongings were seen stranded in the bus parks due to lack of enough money to pay for transport.
Majority were waiting for their parents, relatives and other care takers to send them money to top up due to increment in transport fares. Incidentally, the matter in point was avoidance of contracting COVID-19, surprisingly, the bus parks were full to capacity with many travelers both students and other people who preferred to spend the lockdown in villages. This scenario put students’ lives at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 since no observance of standard operating procedures was seen enforced. The hiking of transport fares subjected many students to sleep in the bus park for some nights before the situation was sorted out.
The students were rescued after the President’s office intervened and engaged transport companies to reduce the fares. The government provided free transport to clear the big number
of students that were stranded. About 15,000 students plus got the opportunity to be transported to their home districts. We thank the government for taking these measures despite resistance
from the private sector raised the issue of free economy.
The lockdown grossly affected a substantial number of schools going children whose academic year 2020 was to end in July, 2021 and new academic year 2021 planned to start in August, 2021.
With the onset lockdowns and related restrictions, it is now apparent that the government has to produce a new school calendar to cover up this space. Currently, only results of Primary Leaving
Exams (PLE) have been released by government. Results for Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) have not been released probably due to
the lockdown and related restrictions. The release of PLE results still pauses a question as when shall the new students for senior one start when the current students have not completed their
year. Hope the government will be in position to address this to avoid confusion after end of the lockdown.
In the nut shell, COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown and associated restrictions have adversely affected the proper running of schools by schools’ administrators, caused inadequate follow up on students, disorganized orderly payment of school fees and other requirements, which have left all parties in total disarray. Possibly, when the lockdown is lifted, we do not get the third wave, the new normal will prevail. Otherwise, even the new normal has failed to set off.
According to statistics, Uganda’s population stands at 44.27 million (2019), however, only 1,110,867 people have so far received their 1st dose. 4,129 people have been fully vaccinated. Interestingly, Uganda targets to vaccinate 49.6 % of the population, which is about 21,936,011, in a phased manner. Unfortunately, the lockdown will end when our statistics has not improved which is likely to affect the running of business in most sectors.
Currently, as students are at home, some few access home study materials provided by their schools at a cost. Others with radios and televisions especially in urban areas tune in to listen and
also do some practical work from home. A bigger number in rural areas have been left out because they cannot access electricity or solar power in their homes. UCC embarked on buying
study materials from accessible schools and distribute them to children on the programme.
This is a bit expensive but it is helping children to catch up and remaining practical other than not practicing at all. We indeed thank social workers who continue to provide this service despite the lockdown and inexistent transport means. UCC still looks forward to continue collaborating with
families to ensure children are not left out from accessing learning and other useful information.