The Students, many of whom could not travel after the closure of the university, were allowed to stay in two of the halls of residence at the main campus. However, according to a circular by Cyriaco Kabagambe, the Dean of students, the University was only providing accommodation, and the students would meet their own cost for all basic necessities.
Grace Kiwanuka, the Executive Director Uganda Healthcare Federation UHF, an entity that brings together private healthcare providers told Uganda Radio Network that after Uganda confirmed an outbreak on Saturday many of their members expressed concern that patients approach them with symptoms and they are challenged how to handle them because they haven’t been sensitised.
They were picked from different parts of the university following a two-day operation, according to Jude Masingano Eliphaz, the officer in charge of operations in Makerere University.
In a letter to the Solicitor General, Acting University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda said while the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act defines the process of searching for the Vice Chancellor, the law is silent on the search process for the deputy.
“We have requested for security beef up which has been done and operation coded “Visibility” netted many others today being interrogated by (Crime Investigation Department) CID,” Professor Bazeyo observed in an email sent to staff.
President Yoweri Museveni ordered the closure of schools as one of the measures to control the spread of coronavirus, which, according to experts, moves faster in large gatherings. At the time of the closure, the learners were just half way into the term which started on February 4, 2020 and was due to end on May 1, 2020.
“In line with directives issued out by president, Yoweri Museveni and in the exercise of powers entrusted to me under section 31 of the University and other tertiary institutions Act 2001 as amended, I hereby direct the closure of the University on Friday March 20th, 2020 to Monday 20th April 2020,”Katunguka said.
Innocent Abongo, the Community Development Officer Chegere Sub County, says many schools in area are still performing poorly due to implementation of the automatic promotion policy.
Schools across the country were prematurely closed at the end of last week, following a presidential directive aimed at controlling large gatherings, a precursor for the spread of the strain of the virus, which has so far claimed 12,784 lives across the world. Ugandans were thereafter advised to stay at home in self-quarantine.
Although, the government has set up schools in each of the sub-counties apart from Lwajje which has none. The sub-counties have several other scattered small islands attached to them, but the children are struggling to access schools.
At Kampala International University, where there are a large number of international students, Dr Muhammad Mpezamihingo says that they do not have contingency plans for the students since the directive was abrupt.
According to Ewal, the head teacher Clare Awor personally borrowed 2.4 Million shillings her deputy Richard Okello 550,000 shillings; Rogers Okello who is a teacher at the school also borrowed 220, 000 and Charles Ewalo another teacher 230,000 shillings.
Dr Mouhamad Mpezamihigo Kampala International University Vice-Chancellor says that although the closure has been abrupt, lectures must continue online and students must complete their course works, tests and exams.
Kaberamaido Technical Institute was established in 1984 and sits on a 58- acre land. The school, with an enrolment of 237 students has been operating under difficult conditions due to inadequate structural space and tools for training.
Augustine Muserero, the head teacher Kasese Secondary school applauded the directive regardless of its implication to the academic calendar. Kasese Secondary school is expected to dismiss students today.
Qualified heavy goods vehicle drivers have been identified as a key human resource for transporting large quantities of raw materials, raw material and works in progress.
As the school term has been cut shot due to the country wide COVID-19 mitigation measures, the Uganda National Examinations Board-UNEB has halted registration process for candidates who will sit for national examinations this year.
Our reporters visited several school and found head teachers addressing teachers on the presidential directive before sending off learners for the next 32 days.
