By Alex Gahima
Residents in Kisoro have been encouraged to wear face masks when in public places or face arrest by Security operatives in the district.
The comments were made by the office of Kisoro Resident District Commissioner (RDC).
While speaking to Voice of Muhabura, the Kisoro deputy RDC Dan Ndikumwami said cases of Covid-19 have continued to increase in the district adding that this trend cannot be taken lightly.
Ndikumwami said Security in the district including Uganda Police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) are going to work closely during patrols to apprehend and penalize errant Ugandans who persistently refused to adhere to the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“We have decided to start with sensitization of the masses using mega phones and our patrol vehicles. Also our message has been repeatedly aired on the radios, however after today (market day), if the people are caught without face masks in public places, they should be prepared to face the law, Ndikumwami explained.
True to his word, Voice of Muhabura observed Security and members of the district health department patrolling streets in Kisoro Municipality telling people to put on their face masks.
Ndikumwami also cautioned private school owners and their teachers against the vice of obtaining fake Covid-19 vaccination cards as well as increasing school fees.
The issue of obtaining fake covid-19 vaccination cards has become a national concern.
“The office of the RDC has begun investigating rumors that some head teachers and their staff in Kisoro have obtained fake Covid-19 cards. We are trying to trace the source of these cards as well as those people who are falsely using them, Ndikumwami explained.
Mass Covid-19 Vaccination campaign hits 75%
The Kisoro district Covid-19 task force (DTF) that held its weekly meeting yesterday revealed that the two week long mass Covid campaign in December, 2021 covered 134,365 people out of the intended 148,123 people resulting in 75% coverage.
According to Information from the DTF, Kisoro district is not yet out of the woods as cases of Covid-19 are on the rise.
Results from 270 samples tested between 27th December and 2nd January 2022 revealed that 103 samples tested turned positive for Covid-19.
It was also revealed that 2 people die of Covid-19 last month, one a foreigner from Rwanda and another, a resident from Busanza Sub County, Kisoro district.
Kisoro deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami says at least 4 people have been rushed to Kabale referral hospital in critical condition while 128 people are currently under Home Based Care.
A total of 2,640 doses of AstraZeneca and 1,381 of Sinovac Covid Vaccines were received by Kisoro district on Wednesday this week.
According to Kisoro district Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Steven Nsabiyumva, priority will be given to teachers who require to access the second jab before returning to active teaching duties.
Other Gaps Identified
The Kisoro district LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana says he has never received his Covid-19 Vaccination certificate despite being the first Mufumbira to spearhead the vaccination in the district.
According to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Certification Portal, the Uganda government will issue a Vaccination Certificate that confirms one have been inoculated.
This certificate is issued 14 days after the person receives his/her last dose.
The certificate carries all the basic details of the beneficiary like name, age, gender, and also all the details of both vaccination doses i.e. date, batch number, vaccine, manufacturer, dose, vaccination site.
Kisoro district LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana is among hundreds of people in Kisoro district who have not received their certificates despite compiling with the Presidential directive on Covid-19 vaccination.
Bizimana explained that such a challenge needs to be ironed out by the Ministry of Health because the health department at the district is overwhelmed with huge back log of data from all health facilities.
He noted that the certificate will eventually come in handy for people wishing to travel beyond district and country borders as well as seeking services because the Covid-19 Vaccination card has already been compromised.
Bizimana also recommended that the district Security teams should desist from using force against the people of Kisoro but work towards sensitizing them.
He noted that if this fails, they should be arrested and arraigned before courts of law which can prescribe community service for these people making them work productively for the Government instead of raising human rights issues.
Discussion about this post