The Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo Cigamoyi has pleaded with Ugandans to observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at containing the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
Owiny Dollo also asked Ugandans to denounce myths surrounding the vaccination exercise against the disease but instead embrace it citing that it is the only remedy against the deadly disease.
The Chief Justice explained that the laxity of people in observing the COVID-19 SOPs and uptake of the vaccines amidst the surge of the disease in the country is worrying.
Owiny Dollo was on Sunday afternoon addressing the congregation from Holy Rosary Church during a weekly mass. He argued that Uganda like other African countries is incapacitated to combat COVID-19 meaning that the only remedy is by preventing it.
The Chief Justice who seemed disturbed cautioned that churches may risk facing closure if they do not respect the set guidelines by the government.
He equally said to instill trust among Ugandans, he was glad to announce that he has already received the two jabs of COVID-19 and has experienced no side effects as it is greatly rumored among the public. The Chief Justice added that the second wave of COVID-19 being experienced in the country should put Ugandans into panic mood because it attacks anyone regardless of their ages and health conditions as it had been the case before.
As directed by the health ministry, one is required to always wear masks, regularly wash their hands or sanitize and maintaining social distance.
On the other hand, Reverend Father Justine Erick Uma, the Parish Priest for Holy Rosary who led the mass asked Christians and all Ugandans to be mindful of their health by following the health ministry`s guidelines.
Dr. Paska Apiyo, in charge of the COVID-19 treatment centre at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital who shared the same sentiment with the Chief Justice says that people are no longer wearing face masks, sanitizing hands and observing social distance. She asserts that the centre has been receiving patients with severe disease who mostly end up in the intensive care unit – ICU wards.
She equally urged the public to embrace the ongoing vaccination against COVID-19 rolled out by the Ministry of Health.
Richard Komakech, one of the church members in his announcement, pleaded with everyone to spearhead the fight against COVID-19.
These plights come at a time when Uganda is experiencing an upsurge in COVID-19 in the recent weeks yet there is also laxity on the uptake of the vaccines.
Records from the ministry of health shows that a total of 672,487 people received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccines but only 34,139 Ugandans have been fully vaccinated against the disease.
The cumulative Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country stands at 517,676 and 374 respectively.URN
