The Kisoro district COVID 19 task force has resolved that all private clinics that admit any patients during the 42 day countrywide lock down will be penalized.
The comments come following growing concern from the public, some of whom have complained that private clinics in Kisoro district do not have the capacity to test for COVID 19 and cannot handle patients suffering from the deadly virus.
Kisoro district has recorded a cumulative total of 447 positive cases of COVID 19, 412 of the cases are being managed from home. As of June 2021, Kisoro district has recorded ten deaths, four of whom succumbed from health facilities in the district while six were Bafumbira who died while outside Kisoro district.
The head of Infection Prevention Control Sison Mugisha said the district task force has written a circular to all private clinics across the district barring them from admitting any patients
“We have observed that patients who visited different clinics complaining of other conditions but were later diagnosed with COVID 19 were poorly managed because no clinic in Kisoro has the capacity to handle such cases. This means that until further notice, all clinics are to provide outpatient services.” Mugisha explained.
Mugisha said all Ugandans interested in testing for COVID 19 can visit the major health centers including Kisoro hospital, Busanza health center IV, Chahafi center IV and Rubuguri health center IV
The district task force has also resolved that all burial announcements that are broadcast over the radios must not indicate time of the burial.
The Kisoro Resident District Commissioner and head of the task force Rtd. Captain Peter Mugisha said all burials will have to be concluded by 12noon.
“No burials must go beyond 12noon. We are determined to have as few people gathering as was communicated by the President. All religious leaders who preside over burials must be vigilant and ensure only 20 people are present or else they face arrest along with the head of the home”, Peter Mugisha said
Mugisha noted that some of the resolutions the task force has adopted will make some people uncomfortable but explained that the war against COVID must be won by all means.
The district task force has also resolved that all boda boda riders caught carrying passengers and private vehicles caught on the road will have to pay fines.
Kisoro district Police Commander Steven Ogwang said in the last two days, a total of four million shillings has been collected in fines.
Ogwang said people in Kisoro are very stubborn but the Police is committed to ensure lives are saved from the deadly pandemic.
Rapid Testing Kits run out in Kisoro
The district health department has revealed that the major health centers have run out of testing kits.
According to the head of Surveillance Nick Muneza, Chahafi and Busanza Health center IVs have completely run out.
“At this rate, Kisoro hospital and Mutolere hospital are going to run out. Government needs to do more to intervene in the situation, said Muneza.
Muneza noted that there is no oxygen in any of the health facilities in the district which is very dangerous.
Health Facilities in Kisoro speak out
Kisoro district Referral Hospital (Kisoro Municipality)
The head of the Isolation ward at Kisoro district referral hospital Dr. Twine John Bosco confirmed to the New Vision that the isolation ward with a bed capacity of 14 beds is completely full.
Dr. Twine explained that the hospital has since converted the Male and female ward at the hospital into an extension of the COVID ward with an additional 30 beds to accommodate the growing number of patients.
“We currently have 25 patients who have tested positive for COVID 19. 10 to 12 of these patients will require oxygen which is currently unavailable. Our patients are surviving on Oxygen concentrators but if the hospital keeps getting more patients, we shall require oxygen cylinders. Dr. Twine explained.




Two people have since succumbed to COVID 19 while receiving management at the hospital.
Dr. Twine said people need to develop personal discipline if they are to overcome the disease.
This disease, if detected early enough and is managed in a timely manner can last no longer than two weeks, however people need to take personal responsibility and observe the SOPs and assuredly, this disease will be defeated”, Dr. Twine explained.
Kisoro district boasts of 25 oxygen cylinders which have not been re-filled because the Oxygen plant in Kabale district is unable to satisfactorily meet the need of patients in Kabale – Kisoro districts.
Kisoro hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Michael Bagainizi said the Government needs to provide Oxygen cylinders urgently to avert the situation that is likely to get worse before it gets better.
“We are unable to admit any more patients of COVID 19 at the hospital because we do not have capacity,” said Dr. Bagainizi.
Busanza Health Center IV (Bufumbira North)
The In- charge of Busanza Health Center IV Dr. Bahane Emmanuel said a total of 229 people were tested and 58 patients tested positive while 171 people tested negative.
Dr. Bahane, who is also the head of Burial teams in Kisoro said one person succumbed to COVID 19 during this period. He noted that two of the contacts who were close to the deceased also tested positive to COVID 19 but have since recovered.
He noted that the health system in Kisoro is overwhelmed because the burial teams do not have a body bag among other key necessities.
Dr. Bahane noted that home care management has reduced the burden on health workers but added that more sensitization needs to be done to help Ugandans become more self-aware of this killer disease.
Chahafi Health Center IV (Bufumbira East)
A total of 360 people were tested and 61 cases were confirmed positive.
According to the Medical Laboratory technician at Chahafi Health center IV, Philip Tumushime, Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) test kits got finished earlier this week because of the huge number of people interested in being tested for COVID 19.
Tumushime explained that he is not aware when the district will be in position to provide more testing kits which are needed urgently.
Rubuguri Health Center IV (Bukimbiri Constituency)
The In-charge of Rubuguri Health Center IV Emmanuel Mfitundinda said out of 289 people tested, 55 cases turned positive. He noted that no death has been recorded and 12 people have since recovered.
Mfitundinda said the biggest challenge is the stigma in the community which needs to be addressed because people will quietly die from their homes.
He advised that when vaccines become available, Ugandans need to be immunized on a large scale.
Kisoro People speak out on COVID cases.
Fortunate Uwiduhaye, a Business internee at Mubuga Saaco says she tested for COVID 19 after she developed strong flu but she was advised to return for her results after 8 days which she said is a long time for someone to wait for results.
Immaculate Nyiramugeno, a pharmacist in Kisoro Municipality says there has been a rush for Vitamin C, Zinc and Azithromycin.
“We used to stock 50 packets of Vitamin C but in the last two weeks, we have had to stock up to 200 packets of Vitamin C because we receive at least 30 people a day demanding for Vitamin C, Zinc and Azithromycin”, said Nyiramugeno.
According to Nyiramugeno, people in Kisoro do not steam but instead blend Lemon, red pepper, Onions, garlic and Oranges which they drink twice a day to stay safe.
The Kisoro district LC V Chairperson Abel Bizimana said the growing number of positive cases might have been as a result of people of Kisoro from outside Kisoro who traveled for burials and could have propagated the sickness among the locals.
“The public is the victim of a failed system however Ugandans need to become personally responsible for their welfare”, said Bizimana.
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