Epidemics Tracker

Paris, France | AFP | The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating threats to press freedom around the world, with authoritarian states including China and Iran suppressing details of the outbreak, activists said on Tuesday. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its annual press freedom rankings that the pandemic was “highlighting and …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The number of tests carried out so far are not enough to guarantee that Uganda has successfully contained coronavirus-COVID-19. Uganda confirmed the first case of the virus on March 21. A month later, about 13,000 tests have been conducted by the Uganda Virus Research Institute …

Paris, France | AFP | The coronavirus pandemic could nearly double the number of people around the world facing acute hunger, the UN’s World Food Programme warned Tuesday. “The number of people facing acute food insecurity stands to rise to 265 million in 2020, up by 130 million from the 135 million in 2019, as …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Makerere University hospital is set to start conducting coronavirus –COVID-19 tests, making the institution the second in the country to conduct such tests. Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe says they have already received 40,000 testing kits from donors. In a virtual press conference …

Kampala, Uganda | Isaac Khisa | Ecobank Group, the Pan African Bank, has contributed about US$3 million to the fight against COVID-19 across its footprint in Africa which also include Uganda. Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO, Ecobank Group said with their knowledge of Africa, and to compliment various government efforts, the lender has …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The High Court has granted an interim Order staying self-appropriation of UGX 10 billion by Ugandan Members of Parliament. Ntugamo MP Gerald Karuhanga and Erute North County MP Jonathan Odur went to court, challenging the decision by Parliament to allocate itself 10 billion …

Rome, Italy | AFP |  Italy’s Prime Minister said on Tuesday that by the weekend he would reveal the steps the country will take to loosen restrictions, reopen the economy and emerge from the coronavirus crisis. Italy, which has reported more coronavirus deaths than any other European country, has been under …

Kalungu, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  Education authorities in Kalungu district have resolved to use megaphones also known as Bizindalo to reach out to learners because of the COVID19 lock down. David Bbaale, the Kalungu District Education Officer, says whereas the mainstream broadcasting platforms including television and radio stations are doing their best …

Wakiso, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  Wakiso COVID-19 task force has protested the disbursement of 165 million shillings to districts for the fight against COVID.  The district taskforce which held an emergency meeting at the district headquarters on Monday argues that the funds are inadequate.  Matia Lwanga Bwanika, the LCV Chairperson, …

Paris, France | AFP |  The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating threats to press freedom around the world, with authoritarian states including China and Iran suppressing details of the outbreak, activists said on Tuesday. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its annual press freedom rankings the pandemic was “highlighting and amplifying the …