Lockdown 2.0 in Uganda
by Jessica Hughes
In my weekly Luganda lesson, my tutor always asks, “Embeera eli etya?” “How is the situation?” My answer is usually, “Nnungi”, or “good.” However, now the answer is “si nnungi”, or “not good.” It seems that Uganda is running about a year behind the United States in terms of its COVID progression. Last Friday morning (June 18), the president announced that he would address the nation that evening. Announcing a speech without much notice is never good news. We knew our COVID numbers have been going up. I’d gotten to the point at which I didn’t want to open my UCU email for fear of seeing another death notice; a sitting bishop died last week, as did a diocesan secretary, and an education secretary. This week, we lost a staff member in our constituent college in Mbale. I know many people who have tested positive with COVID, and the news is full of reports of how the hospitals are full, and the supply of oxygen for patients is quite low.
In his speech, the president announced a new 42-day lockdown: he had announced a lockdown on 6 June, but this one features absolutely no transport, private or public. Churches and schools are closed, as are bars and movie theaters, though those have not reopened since last year. The 9pm curfew that was imposed last year has never been lifted; curfew is now at 7pm. The only way to get around is on foot or on bicycle. Cargo can still be delivered. The airport is still open; generally speaking, the only ways to travel are in an ambulance or in a tourist vehicle, though exceptions are being made for essential workers.
This is utterly devastating, physically, financially, and emotionally. We are back to where we were in March, 2020. The people who work in the food markets are supposed to sleep there. The only way to get to work is to walk or ride a bicycle, and many cannot do that due to the distance involved. The economic impact of the last lockdown was immense, and it will be this time as well.
When my students abruptly left campus at the beginning of June, several said that they knew they wouldn’t be back this semester. It seems that they are correct. However, people are already talking about how long the lockdown extension will be: not whether the lockdown will be extended, but for how long.
Please pray for the leaders in Uganda as they seek to stem the COVID spread. Uganda is supposed to be receiving more vaccines soon, and I am thankful that I have been fully vaccinated, though some of us do not yet have our vaccination cards: please pray that they come soon! Please pray that the vaccine distribution is made easier and that more people will take it; there are an absurd number of conspiracy theories flying around, and many do not want to receive the vaccine because of them. Please also pray for the leaders of Uganda Christian University as they lead the us through another lockdown. I am grateful that we can still teach online, though we still face several challenges, particularly with network access for students who are deep in the village.
I am thankful that I am basically fine. At the moment, deliveries can still happen between Kampala and Mukono, so I recently placed a large grocery order, since directives and rules can, and do, change often and with little notice. I have options, for which I am grateful. But many people do not. Clergy and teachers in particular are suffering with no income. While many churches are holding prayers and services either on YouTube or Facebook or are sending messages and sermons via WhatsApp, offerings have dropped considerably. Please pray for strength, protection, and provision for the clergy and lay readers who are struggling to minister to their congregations in the midst of the lockdown.
The Rev. Jessica Hughes is serving at Uganda Christian University through the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS). Learn more about Jessica and her work in Uganda on her blog.
Photo credits:
Noll building: Abby Bartels
E-Learning Committee: Mark Byamukama.
