IN UGANDA, EVERY PROTEST IS AIMED AT MEETING THE PRESIDENT

Many have called Mr. Museveni Kaguta "The Alpha and Omega" of both problems and solutions to Uganda's political and social challenges. I don't know whether to say power has consumed him in the forty years he has ruled Uganda or He has consumed power for forty years. We can claim he understands Uganda and Ugandans in that he has created his own political, and leadership philosophy. Other than being a Machiavellian who wins by all means with little adherence to moral or ethical standards. Mr. Museveni also understands International Relations as far as where the pool of money flows from.

Since becoming president of Uganda, Mr. Museveni has manipulated his way to the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary. This has enabled him to have control over all three arms of government to propel his stay in power for 40 years and dance with the Constitution in the
way he pleases like a teenager celebrating the freedom that comes with joining campus.

Let's now look at the History of Social, Political, and economic demonstrations in Uganda under the leadership of Mr. Museveni Kaguta Yoweri after the 1996 general elections. Allow me to drop to your ears the degeneration of true leadership after the 1996 elections. The general election came exactly Eleven years after he illegally attained power. 

The 1996 General elections came after he thought he had leveled the grounds to be elected genuinely, especially by the elites. When he came to power the President concentrated on three economic reforms to help propel the already staggering economy he inherited. The legalization of the parallel foreign exchange market, liberalization of coffee marketing, and the establishment of fiscal discipline. This brought macroeconomic stability. Together with trade liberalization and privatization which was by the way forced on him by the IMF and World Bank as a condition for Uganda to access easy loans, Mr. Museveni had set Uganda on the road to a liberal and capitalist economy. "What more would the elite want?" He must have asked himself that question.

He forgot that the people who helped empower themselves with the new economic policies were his cronies. The people, relatives, and friends of those he fought with in the bush were the ones taking advantage of the new financial and economic policies, not the entire elite society. Of course, the silent tribal divide slowly took shape in his government. When he realized all he felt he had done for Uganda including sacrificing his peace and the life of his friends Ugandans still were pushy to get him out and replace him with Dr. Kawanga Ssemogerere Paul the DP president who served in his government as Minister of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs. And from 1994 - 1995, Dr. Kawanga Ssemogerere Paul served in two ministerial positions that are, Public Service and Deputy prime minister before resigning to face his boss on the ballots. 

That was the time Mr. Museveni deployed his Plan "B", that "by all means necessary and unnecessary", he must remain president and serve Uganda provided he still can breathe. The birth of election "malpractice" to be less harsh on the act of stealing votes. With all the love and support he gained throughout the three months of the presidential campaign, Dr.Kawanga Ssemogerere Paul lost the 1996 presidential elections.

The privatization, and liberation of Uganda's economy, brought in investors who were willing to flash their monies into our economy in Agriculture, manufacturing, and the service industry. The well-connected individuals utilized this change as an opportunity to "make money", which meant the economy was built and maintained in the hands of a few organized friends and relatives of the "Liberators". As time went on, NGOs flocked to various parts of Uganda to support Uganda's economy. Donations, grants, and Loans became Uganda's source of income. URA struggled to collect Taxes from Businesses. These national sources of income gave birth to two fundamental economic activities in Uganda. Corruption and Deals. These two have then changed the image and identity of Uganda. I am not going to give attention to these two acquired identities today but in my next article. The above has been a buildup to the title of this article "In Uganda, every protest is aimed at meeting the president."

Let us look at all the recent and notable demonstrations, strikes, and calls to action organized in Uganda by politicians, CSOs, and professional associations. 

The Teachers’ Strike of 2019

In 2019, Uganda's teachers, represented by the Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU), went on strike to protest low pay and poor working conditions. The strike paralyzed schools nationwide, forcing the government to intervene.

After weeks of stalemate and growing unrest, President Museveni held meetings with UNATU leadership to address their concerns. The President agreed to gradually increase teachers' salaries and improve working conditions, although the teachers argued that the promised increments were still insufficient. These negotiations helped to calm tensions for the time being, although the issue of teacher pay remains contentious.

Taxi Drivers and Bodaboda Riders’ Protests 2020

Taxi drivers and bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) riders, who make up a significant portion of Uganda's informal economy, protested several times due to heavy regulations, high taxes, and restrictions related to the COVID-19 lockdown. Their industry was severely impacted, and many drivers struggled to make a living.

After multiple demonstrations and appeals to local leaders, some taxi drivers and bodaboda riders were invited to meet President Museveni. In these meetings, Museveni promised economic relief measures, including reduced taxes and support packages to ease their burden during the pandemic. While the meetings alleviated some immediate concerns, long-term solutions remained elusive for many in the informal sector.

Social Media and Mobile Money Tax Protests 2018 

In 2018, the introduction of a controversial social media tax and mobile money tax sparked nationwide protests. Ugandans, especially the youth, were outraged by the government’s decision to tax social media usage, seeing it as a restriction on freedom of speech and a financial burden on already strained incomes.

The widespread backlash led to some government officials, including President Museveni, addressing the issue. While the President defended the tax as necessary for national development, he agreed to meet some representatives of the protesting groups to hear their grievances. The meeting did not result in the repeal of the taxes, but some adjustments were made to the rates, particularly the mobile money tax, which was reduced from 1% to 0.5% on withdrawals.

National Association of Nurses and Midwives Strike (2021)

In May 2021, nurses and midwives went on strike, demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and access to protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike caused significant disruptions in the health sector, particularly in rural areas where healthcare infrastructure is already limited. 

President Museveni intervened by holding meetings with leaders of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives to discuss their demands. Although no immediate salary increments were offered, the government pledged to review their working conditions and expedite ongoing plans to improve healthcare worker compensation. The strike was called off after these discussions, though it remained a short-term fix to a longstanding problem.

KACITA Strike 2024

One of the most significant strikes occurred in April when thousands of traders from Kampala and other regions shut down their shops in protest against the Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS). Traders argued that EFRIS, meant to enhance tax collection and reduce evasion, was poorly implemented and disproportionately harmed small businesses.

The protests were so widespread that traders in cities like Jinja and Masaka joined in, despite government appeals to reopen. As a result, President Museveni met with leaders of major trader associations, including the Federation of Uganda Traders Associations (FUTA) and the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), on April 19, 2024, to address their concerns. Museveni agreed to temporarily halt penalties related to EFRIS and promised to review the system while continuing consultations.

This meeting marked a tentative victory for the traders, with further discussions scheduled for May 2024. In response, traders reopened their businesses while awaiting long-term resolutions on issues such as unfair taxation, high import duties, and the treatment of foreign investors in Uganda’s market.

These strikes illustrate the growing unrest among Uganda’s business community, particularly around tax policy, and their increasing pressure on the government to create fairer economic conditions. Museveni’s engagement with these groups highlights the significance of the protests and the power of organized civic action in influencing policy decisions.

Throughout his presidency, Amos' son has often responded to large-scale protests and demonstrations by holding meetings with representatives of aggrieved groups. While demonstrations and strikes are supposed to help resolve issues affecting society, the leaders of such demonstrations use them as revenue to build financial relations between them and the president. At the end of the day, the cycle continues. The problem was exposed but swallowed by the leaders.  unrest.

 

 

BECAUSE WE ARE DIFFERENT, THEY SAY WE ARE MENTALLY Ill

BECAUSE WE ARE DIFFERENT, THEY SAY WE ARE MENTALLY Ill

#WorldMentalHealthDay

In a world that values conformity and fitting in, being different can often come with unwarranted judgment, stigma, and misunderstanding. For many people around the globe, especially those living with mental health conditions or unique behaviors, the label of being “mentally ill” is slapped on without hesitation. This labeling not only reflects society's limited understanding of mental health but also highlights how deeply entrenched stigma is when it comes to those who are perceived as "different."

In Uganda, and many parts of the world, people who think, act, or even feel outside the norm are often misunderstood, ostracized, and labeled. But what does it really mean to be different? And why does being different so often lead to the assumption of mental illness?

The Misunderstanding of Difference

Being "different" can take many forms. It can be someone who challenges social norms, someone with a unique personality, or someone who struggles to fit into rigid societal structures. It can also be someone living with conditions like autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or even anxiety and depression—all mental health conditions that, when misunderstood, lead to isolation.

In Uganda, the stigma associated with mental illness is still profound. People who exhibit unusual behavior, or those who openly express their emotional struggles, are often quickly labeled as “mad,” a term that carries with it intense discrimination and dehumanization. The reality is that mental health conditions exist on a spectrum, and many people who face these challenges live full, productive lives. But societal fear of difference often eclipses understanding, leading to alienation.

The Burden of Being "Different" in Society

In many cultures, especially in communities where traditional beliefs about mental health are prevalent, any deviation from societal norms—whether it’s acting differently, thinking outside the box, or experiencing emotional turmoil—is quickly classified as a mental illness. I bet this article alone is going to make people question the writer's mental health. In some cases, such differences are attributed to spiritual causes, witchcraft, or possession, making it even harder for people to seek proper help. This stigma not only impacts those living with genuine mental health conditions but also marginalizes those who may simply be "different."

Take for instance individuals with autism. They may behave in ways that seem unusual—like avoiding eye contact, repeating certain behaviors, or communicating differently—but labeling them as “mentally ill” overlooks their full potential and the unique strengths they bring to society. Autism is not a mental illness but a neurodevelopmental condition, yet the lack of awareness often leads to quick, harmful mislabeling.

Similarly, those living with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia face an uphill battle in a society that often mistakes their symptoms as signs of dangerous instability. Bipolar disorder, which causes extreme mood swings, is misunderstood as mere “moodiness,” while schizophrenia, which affects a person’s ability to think clearly, is often caricatured as “madness.” Such misconceptions overshadow the lived experience of individuals who, with the right support, can lead fulfilling lives.

The Consequences of Mislabeling

Labeling someone as mentally ill just because they are different doesn’t only harm the individual but also erodes society’s collective mental well-being. Mislabeling fosters exclusion, discrimination, and isolation, pushing individuals further from the support they need and creating an environment where help is neither sought nor provided. People who feel labeled or judged may internalize the stigma, leading to self-doubt, shame, and a reluctance to seek treatment when necessary.

This is particularly dangerous in a country like Uganda, where mental health services are already scarce, and stigma runs deep. Many people fear seeking help, worried that their families or communities will view them as "crazy." As a result, conditions that could have been managed early on become severe, leading to personal suffering and, in many cases, preventable tragedies such as self-harm or suicide.

The Complexity of Mental Health

Mental health is not black and white. It is a complex interplay of biological, environmental, social, and psychological factors. Just because someone feels different, thinks differently, or behaves outside what is considered "normal" does not mean they are mentally ill. On the contrary, these differences often reflect the beauty of human diversity—each person’s unique experience of life.

Consider the millions of people around the world living with neurodiversity—those whose brains are wired differently. They may see the world in unique ways, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), for example, are often creative, energetic, and capable of great achievements, yet they face labels like “disruptive” or “mentally ill.” Such labeling not only diminishes their potential but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Embracing Difference and Challenging Stigma

The fight against mental health stigma begins with recognizing that being different does not equal being mentally ill. As a society, we must broaden our understanding of mental health, embracing the full spectrum of human experience. Mental health conditions, when they exist, should be treated with empathy, medical care, and social support—not fear and isolation. But for those who are simply different—who think, act, or behave in ways that don’t conform to the majority—society must learn to celebrate, not judge, their individuality.

In Uganda, organizations like Mental Health Uganda (MHU), StrongMinds, and Humanists in Northern Uganda are working hard to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness and raise awareness about mental health. These efforts are vital in shifting societal perspectives and encouraging acceptance of both mental health conditions and differences in behavior.

Educating communities on the reality of mental health conditions, highlighting the importance of mental well-being, and promoting the value of individual differences are critical steps in transforming the way we view mental health in Uganda and beyond. With greater understanding, we can create a society where people are free to seek help without fear of judgment and where differences are not only tolerated but embraced.

The idea that “just because we are different, they call us mentally ill” reflects a societal problem that goes beyond mental health; it speaks to our collective discomfort with difference. On this World Mental Health Day, let us challenge these misconceptions and work toward a future where every individual, regardless of their behavior, personality, or mental health status, is treated with dignity and respect. After all, being different is not a crime—and it certainly isn’t a mental illness. It’s what makes us human.

RETIRED ARCH BISHOP ODAMA KILLED CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN ACOLI

Bishop Odama, laying a brick to launch the building of St. Joseph primary school ,in Gulu

DEAD CATHOLIC SCHOOLS STAIN BISHOP ODAMA'S LEGACY.

Archbishop emeritus of the Arch Diocese of Gulu retired Dr John Baptist Odama will be remembered as a Bishop who loved his peace identity too much to confront bad governance and maladministration in collapsing catholic schools in his diocese.

While nationally and internationally, Rev. Dr. John Baptist Odama received many awards for spear heading several peace initiatives both within and without the country like the Juba Peace talk through Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative; internally in his core ministry he betrayed the poor children he identified with by presiding over collapsing catholic schools that could have given these children a bright future.

Let me welcome, Rt. Rev. Bishop Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, to Gulu Archdiocese. My Lord Bishop, we thank the Holy Father Pope Francis for accepting Bishop Odama’s resignation and appointing you as our new vicar of hope for the education of post war poor children of our diocese.

But my Lord Bishop Wokorach, before you submerge yourself into your paka-chini celebrations of your recent appointments; stand up-right and pick the axe of radical reforms and wake up with an agenda to either bury our catholic schools of the poor or prostrate and pray for its resurrection of our lost catholic glory.

After presiding over Gulu Ecclesiastical Province for 25 years, your predecessor's administration only recently woken up to the shame in the low figures of school enrolments and the collapsing structures of our schools to initiate an urgent fundraiser in November,2023 of Shs2.5billion to rejuvenate the catholic church education system.

One wonders why this administration was more comfortable and quicker to accept celebrating mass in private schools on their academic successes and slow to the shame and sight of miserable broken walls and windows of our defunct catholic schools that was last painted during the times of the white missionaries. Certainly, organizing a 2.5 billion fundraiser in your last liturgical year after two decades in office is a gimmick to hoodwink Christians to think they tried. 

Ask yourself, why certain autonomous congregations and individuals operating under the same archdiocese can run effective schools with stellar performances and the same leaders are unable to do so for the Archdiocese. Would Christians dedicatedly fundraise for such a project?

Recently, in a last-minute effort to build a classroom block of St. Joseph Primary School located opposite the bishop’s residence, and the first primary school to be founded by Gulu Arch Diocese in 1921; it was observed that its enrollment now lies as low as 357 yet it could host more than 1000 learners.

Secondly, Hon. Todwong Richard, NRM's Secretary General during the Shs2.5b fundraiser wondered how Bishop Angelo Negri Primary School that he attended could only enroll 83 learners when in its glory days it’s academic excellence in the country was saintly.

Ironically, these schools were ministries of your white missionary predecessor, Bishops. Could this be church politics? Could it be intentional?Now as diocesans, we bravely preside over defunct schools of the poor and ask the same poor christians to donate more to the church and ask less questions. Have we failed as diocesans? Do we need the white missionaries back?

If you must restore confidence and trust in the laity in our church, your administration needs radical reforms and restoration of order in the administration and governance of the church and its clergy as a reputable religious institution.After feeling betrayed by our church, former students at these catholic schools have defected our church for Pentecostal Ministries and set up schools that now introduces Christ to our children while the poor whose faiths built our schools have resorted to free UPE schools as majority drop out.

My Lord Bishop Wokorach, all hope is not lost, recently Alumni Associations have started mushrooming unguided by the church to take back their schools to restore its lost glory. While this is a vote of no confidence in our church, I urge you to fold your sleeves and open up to build bridges with such initiatives to rebuild our schools.

Once again, I welcome you to the difficult task of presiding over a broken diocese where we see no evil and hear no evil.It’s unlikely you will be welcome because change and reform ideas are bedrocks for altering status quo and are normally faced with resentment until you earn your own respect from the laity through service.

I pray God grants you this wisdom and the courage to wither the storms that your Ministry will face until our hardened hearts are won with your divine love for the laity.

Anonymous-Laity

MIN PAYIRA

MIN PAYIRA

Min Payira,

Do I know you?

I do. Yes I do.

I do know Payira, Apiyo and Olara

They were not molded from mud

Born they were.

Born like Ocheng and Otema.

We were born

By Min Payira

Who do you resemble?

I am afraid I don’t know

My own mother

I can’t reconstruct your face

How do you speak?

Again I’m afraid I don’t know

My own mother

I can’t remember your voice

Did you ever kiss my forehead?

Like I kiss your grandchildren?

Oh no!

My own mother!

That too I don’t remember

Min Payira.

The touch on my cheeks.

Was your palm soft?

Was it rough?

My own mother I don’t know.

I know nothing at all.

The pain,

The pain of not remembering your voice,

The pain of not remembering your face,

The pain of not remembering your Kiss,

The pain of not remembering your touch,

The pain of not remembering anything,

Anything about you,

I weep,

I sink,

I die.

Outside I smile,

I play,

I joke,

Inside I die.

Painfully I die

Several deaths

Min Payira.

Min Payira

Other than Bonny M

Would you have nicked named me

Kanda Bongo man,

Tonny Blair,

Christopher Hitchen,

Or like my uncles,

Your brothers,

Ocheng’s brothers

For my oversized earl lobes

Would you have called me Kapereke?

How will I know

Min Payira?

Di you love me?

Did you love us?

How much Min Payira?

Did you care about me?

Did you care about us?

Did you Min Payira?

Too late,

Too late you can’t answer me.

You can’t respond to my questions

Min Payira.

You are gone

You have been gone for thirty years now

Thirty years

Min Payira.

Min Payira

I am independent

Apiyo is independent

Olara is independent

But Min Payira,

What would be your experience

With us

When we are heart broken?

Would you cry with us?

Call the Ladies,

Gentlemen

And ask them to reconsider

Reconsider their decisions before

They make mistakes?

Would you tell them

Like Rema to Kenzo

Your children

Are not Mangoes?

Min Payira

Would you have told us to

Shop the crap out and date another woman

Another man

Min Payira?

I can only wish you were here

Min Payira.

I still don’t know

What you would have done

Min Payira.

Min Payira

I miss you

I never knew you

I never got the chance

You never gave us the chance

Would you have been

A monster in our lives

Min Payira?

Would you have been an Angle

Min Payira?

What would you have been

In our lives

Min Payira?

A mother?

Or Just a Mother

Min Payira?

Would you have believed in me,

Like a loving mother?

Would you have believed in Apiyo,

Like a businesswoman?

Would you have believed in Olara,

Like a friend

Min Payira?

Would you have supported me

Like a teacher?

Would you have supported Apiyo

Like Doctor?

Would you have supported Olara

Like a Politician

Min Payira?

Who knew Min Payira

Who ever met Min Payira?

Who were Min Payira’s

Friends?

Who has Min Payira’s

Photos?

Just the face

I only want

I want to know

If her granddaughters resemble her

I want to know which of her granddaughters speak like here

Walk like her and or

Smart like her.

Who has

Min Payira’s

Stories?

UGLY PEOPLE'S COVID-19 BEARD CONTEST

Last night, I received a call from an unknown caller with hidden identity. Usually I don’t pick such calls from thieves but because of boredom and abundance of free time to interact with just anything that gives me attention including useless people, I picked this call.

The caller, not like the usual calls, it came in at 4:45am in the night. I wasn’t watching movies because it does look like I got done with all my 2TB series collections. I spend my nights mostly watching COVID-19 updates and how different nations are managing to reduce on new infections. Reading how modern scientists are scratching their heads day and night to find cure for the Virus.

Anyway, back to the caller. They say in hard times come beautiful and wonderful opportunities to take for a few and indeed this was one of those lucrative opportunity to make me still ride through this COVID-19 pandemic and even financially keep my spending ability high after the pandemic.

The financial opportunity he offered is not equivalent to that of Global Alliance. This one required my direct and active personal participation. It was a contest Mother******. A fucking “Ugly People’s COVID-19 Beard Contest” brother. Hehehehe. Exactly how I responded with a wide ugly determined contestants laugh. Ever imagined someone smile-laughing? Yes, I did that at the same time.

I inquired on the procedures of participation and voting. It was a very simple procedure with not much rules. The only rule was you must be a registered member of Ugly People Association International with certificates you apply for from the organization’s website and awarded after verifications from Organization’s member organization in your country. This was simple to do, I thought to myself. I recorded all the details he seemed to have been giving me without a written text but as accurate as it was on the website he directed me to. What gave me high hope was how he made sure I felt it was my game. “You have all it takes to win this brother, you are ugly and ugly through.” Said the caller. That I do not deny.

We conclude and he drops the call. I first sat down with my head drawn to the imaginations of crowds cheering me up and as I picked my GBP 50,000 awards and a Golden Crown imported from India. As the beautiful imagination faded away I called this young talented son of mine Omagor Joseph for a possible photo shoot the following day first thing. You know everything happened so quick that night. First of all a man of 51 years of age participating in a contest where his win has been predetermined by location? We all want to retire with such benefits not so? Yes! I forgot about time, went ahead to dial Omagor’s number, unluckily he didn’t pick which was so unusual until it clicked on me that everything so happened at dawn and he must probably be on a series of dreams about so many things including getting a contract with CNN or Aljazeera.

I waited for the daybreak like an insecure husband waiting for his wife who has gone to a nearby retail shop.

I managed to complete filling the form before 7:00 am. Took a quick French bath. I tried calling my Boda guy to come and pick me so I can rush my form even when I had five more days to the application expiry date. I remembered then that there is a presidential directive on Boda Boda only carrying Luggage. Ugly people are not luggage my friend, we are human.

I polished my black ‘Foot-troons’. The one I bought from Rwanda before our two presidents dragged us by the Beards to their political differences. I have seen parents compare whose child is smarter and well mannered than the other but neighbors have never been added to the equation. This one of our presidents must be beyond the children.

Anyhow, me and my Foot-troon are off to town. I finally met Omagor who unfortunately had hired his Camera to some guy. Guys, anybody who weds in times of crisis like this is a mean, stupid and uncultured person. Wedding in times of Pandemic like this is inhumane. It is like a side-chic asking you for hair money knowing you are grounded with literally nothing in the pockets.

Now, there is this overly talented graphic designer called Sirayo. I have done a few projects with him and I have recommended him to so many of my friends none of them has ever complained. Only recommendations after recommendations. Business has been booming for him really. Even in hard times.

‘Furu’ as he is commonly known by those who know him, I found him busy designing someone’s Logo.

With this “No passenger on a Boda” directives nobody wants to carry a lot of items in their bags. Furu had left his Camera at home. Under the current arrangements our homes become far the moment we leave for town.

I was left with my Phone Camera to do the Job. The hope I built from my old Samsung Camera was that, one I am already ugly so there was nothing a good Camera would do to change that. Secondly, there are ladies who even with good Cameras and makeups they still look like Roasted Potatoes.

I went ahead with “If I die I die” phrase of a determined obsessed Makerere University Student targeting the private parts of a Member of Parliament. With my 4 years old Camera I took this photo attached for the contest.

"Good without God"

SHOULD WE BE DIVIDED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC? HUMANITY SHOULD PREVAIL.

"The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, political belief, economic r social condition.” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

I am an idiot by appointment and so I find much peace when I publicly display my idiocy. And today looks just like one of those days I am going to an apologetically hurt so many people’s feelings. Initially this article was meant to come in after thorough research and to bare a different Title after Seven other interesting articles.

And because of the profession I mentioned above, if the content of this article does not match your interest and makes you feel like killing me, trust me, I am joyed by your discomfort.

The Human race has been the most selfish species that has ever occupied this planet. Selfish to live, procreate, and selfish for power. We have managed to live like this and preserve the human race because of this inherited survival traits. Take your time and argue on how Animals like Lion tear us to threads when they get hold of us. I know for sure that the Lions and the rest of the animals don’t come to human homes knocking on Doors and then kill them on opening. Most animals as most research indicate, they attack in defense of their territories and their kind.

The widespread occurrence of disease, in excess of what normally expected in a geographical region did not just begin in December 2019 with COVID-19. Scientists and researchers in the past have fought some of the most brutal human killers in history. For example;

Cholera pandemic of 1852-1860, illegally known as the ‘Indian Cholera’ because of it’s origin. It claimed over 1 Million lives across the globe from India, Europe, North America and Africa.

1968 Flu Pandemic “the Hong Kong Flue” killed 1 Million people on record at the time and wiping out 500,000 of Hong Kong population which was 15% of the population at the time. It spread across the continents of Africa and Europe to leave devastating results.

The third and probably the most dangerous of all pandemics was Bubonic Plague commonly known as “The Black Death” of 1346-1353. The Seven years Bubonic Plague ravaged Asia, Europe, Africa, and Asia with an estimated death toll of 75 and 200 Million people.

Should I also remind you of HIV/AIDS Pandemic? Are you aware that from time of identification in 1981, HIV/AIDS has claimed 36 million lives with Majority of those numbers of deaths coming from Sub-Saharan Africa. Other than Malaria, HIV/AIDS has called for more than financial donation than polio.

In December 2019 the region of Wuhan, China, reported a new virus, Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). China being it’s origin before it spread to Europe, Northern America and Africa in just a period of 3 months, COVID-19 has so far claimed the lives of 127,601 and still counting with over 1 Million infections.

Today Uganda with only 55 infections with 18 recoveries and no death, we should be super proud of how we, together under the directives of scientists have managed to contain the spread of this Virus with our poor health system. With strong instructions from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, curfews and other measures like early lockdown, contact tracing, shutting down of learning institutions and the constant ‘preaching’ of social distancing which got a node from The World Health Organization has helped us maintain and reduce on the numbers of new infections and probable deaths.

I must say we are lucky to have a government that understands how it has over 30 years failed to build strong health system and act correctly on time to protect its citizen from what would have been insufferable disaster. It is too soon claim any win but today by standards, this is unimaginable progress.

Last night a story of a Truck driver from Malaba whose last destination was South Sudan tested positive on arrival to Uganda from Kenya pained me to near undressing. On confirmation of his status the gentle man was supposed to be admitted to start receiving treatments from any of the nearby Referral Hospitals with isolation center to handle COVID-19 cases. He pays taxes like any other Ugandan therefore he deserves access to medical facilities anywhere in this country.

Hon Odonga Otto on receiving information about this truck driver’s status who was picked by the COVID-19 Task force and headed for Gulu referral hospital decided to force the Ambulance to take the victim to Kampala.

In jubilation, social media subscribers from Northern Uganda couldn’t hide their love for hate and desire to deprive another human off the rights to access medical treatment. This is a society that suffered 25 years of forceful detention in concentrated Camps. They called on to whoever cared to hear their cries to help them with whatever they could. Relief items came in from all corners of the world. Love was shared, hope restored and peace was finally achieved.

Being a member of Parliament I thought Otto understood so well or at least exhaust his mental faculty to thinking like a representative of the people of Uganda and a defender of rights to health care.

I want to remind this ungrateful society of how as human we have collectively managed to handle threats to our existence thousand years ago. We have fed each other, scientists have shared vital information across the profession, sheltered each other, leaders across boarders worked together to put up tough political and scientific measures to finally waged the most successful defense against our common enemies.

We don’t have a chance of surviving this with this kind of barbaric attitude towards one another. We are not going to make it through this if we are not taking the responsibility of being our brothers’ keepers.

Should we be divided by COVID-19 Pandemic? Humanity should prevail.