Health ministry says 50 journalists tested positive for COVID-19

Luweero, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |   The Ministry of Health has revealed that atleast 50 journalists in Uganda have tested positive of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to Ministry of Health statistics, 9082 persons have tested positive and 84 died of COVID-19 in Uganda.

Speaking to journalists at a Virtual Media Symposium on the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda organized by the African Centre for Media Excellence this morning, Dr Charles Olaro, the director of Curative services at Ministry of Health revealed that atleast 50 journalists have tested positive of the virus representing close to 0.6% of total cases.

Dr. Olaro didn’t reveal the media houses or areas where the journalists have been registered but noted that the numbers have been aggregated from the persons who indicated journalism as their classifications during testing.

He explained that some of the journalists could have contracted the disease because of the nature of their work.

The symposium was intended to deepen the knowledge of journalists on COVID-19, the response of the scientific community, and the general state of play in Uganda. 

Dr. Peter G. Mwesige, the Executive Director of The African Centre for Media Excellence said he was struck by the revelation and asked the journalists to mind about their safety as they go around their work.

Emmanuel Ainebyona, the Spokesperson of Ministry of Health said many of the journalists who were found positive are still on treatment and recovering from the virus.

He however noted despite the fact that journalists were at the forefront on spreading information on the prevention against the virus, many were not observing the Standard Operating Procedures during press conferences and other interactions with various people in the early stages of the pandemic which could have contributed to the infections.

But Ainebyona noted that there is improvement with many wearing masks, sanitizing daily and embracing use of microphones mounted on stands so as to observe social distancing with news sources who could expose them to infection.

Mohammed Ssendegeya, the Vice Chairperson of Uganda Journalists Association for Buganda region says that the number of positive journalists could be higher because few have tested yet they are at high risk while covering the pandemic.

Ssendegeya said many journalists are in field reporting but they are ill equipped to prevent themselves from contracting the virus.

Unlike in Kampala city where media houses have offered free masks to staff and installed sanitizing equipment at offices, the upcountry journalists are on their own which may expose them to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said there is  laxity among journalists who cover events upcountry and this could expose them to COVID-19.

Herbert Kamoga, the Secretary General of Greater Luwero Journalists’ Association says that although COVID-19 is spreading so fast, several journalists in the area are not observing Standard Operating Procedures .

Kamoga explains many journalists still interview people without wearing masks and some can’t afford to buy sanitizers daily to protect themselves.

“Each personal hand held sanitizer costs about 5000 shillings and you may need atleast four per month which upcountry journalists can’t afford over low pay,” noted Kamoga.

Samuel Kaweesi, a presenter at UBC in Buruuli Nakasongola said apart from exposure in their line of duty, several journalists are part of the community which have also dropped the SOPS which may expose them to infections.

Kaweesi added that journalists who are upcountry have been neglected by District Task Forces on COVID-19 and there was need to sensitise them on protection like the health workers.

Some of the media houses that have registered the highest COVID-19 cases are Radio Pacis, Vision Group, Nation Media, BBS TV and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation among others.

The most affected are UBC where atleast 10 of its staff had tested positive of COVID-19 forcing the station to reduce access to its Kampala office for both staff and members of the public. Atleast 10 other journalists also tested positive at Radio Pacis.

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