Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Proposals to cancel the 2020 academic year for learners at all levels of education have been received with mixed reactions among parents. Schools and other educational institutions were closed on March 20, as the government announced measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease. …
Read More »Virus impact could kill over 50,000 children in MENA: UN
Amman, Jordan | AFP | UN agencies warned Monday that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to the deaths of an additional 51,000 under-fives in the Middle East and North Africa by the end of the year. The World Health Organisation and United Nations children’s agency UNICEF said the disruption of essential health and nutrition services …
Read More »Lira taskforce seeking UGX 97m to fence designated stopover point for truck drivers
Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Lira district COVID-19 taskforce is seeking for 97 million shillings to fence the gazetted parking space for truck drivers. In April, the Minister of Trade and Cooperatives put in place stopover centres for truck drivers in a move aimed at fighting the spread …
Read More »Shortage of vehicles slows COVID-19 response activities in Gulu
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The emergency response activities by the Gulu district COVID-19 taskforce are slowing down as a result of a shortage in motor vehicles for field operations. The task force that started its operations in March with 25 cars has remained with only five functional vehicles …
Read More »Five new COVID-19 patients admitted at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Five COVID-19 positive patients have been admitted at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. Of the five, three were cargo truck drivers from Elegu One-Stop Border Post while the other two were traced community contacts identified by surveillance team from Adjumani district. Bishop Loum Janani, the …
Read More »Stock markets slip on fears of second virus wave
Hong Kong, China | AFP | Equities tumbled Monday, extending last week’s losses on fears of a second wave of virus infections around the world that could put the brakes on the easing of lockdowns and a budding economic recovery. While European nations press ahead with their reopening after months of …
Read More »COMMENT: Decentralizing management of COVID-19 is a welcome idea
The plan by government to decentralise the management of COVID-19 is a highly welcome one that if implemented, will de-congest and ease the pressure on Regional Referral Hospitals COMMENT | Walter Akena | On June 11th 2020, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Matia Kasaija delivered the Budget …
Read More »Uganda Investment Authority predicts drastic decline in investments
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) predicts a significant decline in both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI), particularly in tourism, transport and construction sectors due to the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. The value of planned FDI …
Read More »Mbarara varsity scientists fight COVID-19
World Bank funds effort to produce WHO quality hand sanitisers | THE INDEPENDENT | Scientists at the Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST) have started manufacturing hand sanitiser as part of their contribution to the government’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. The hand sanitisers …
Read More »ANALYSIS: COVID-19 Chaos
How lies, fatigue are derailing Uganda’s fight against pandemic Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Ugandans no longer fear the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and that is very dangerous. Government officials in charge of fighting the spread of the disease are increasingly getting under pressure including from fake news. When Betty …
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