President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to Ugandans to go and get vaccinated for the Covid19 saying the virus is still existent.
Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing the nation about health and security matters. He said there’s a big population of individuals that are not vaccinated or under-vaccinated.
He said to date, 6.6 million have gotten both jabs while 19.2 million people have taken at least one jab meaning another nine million have not bothered to get even one dose.
“When Covid19 started, we went back to the bible, 2,000 years ago, the story of the lepers who used to social distance. That’s what we did when Corona came but now humanity has been able to develop a vaccine quickly, and as I speak, we have all the vaccines.”
“I appeal to the 9 million rebels who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID19 to go and get vaccinated. The ones who didn’t get the second dose should also do so,” Museveni appealed.
He said although the numbers of positive cases in Uganda is low, the virus has changed and transmission is still happening with at least 70 confirmed new cases per week.
The president also spoke about the Ebola epidemic that struck several districts in the country including the epicenter, Mubende and Kassanda.
Museveni said Ebola unlike the Covid19 was contained in a short period of time because it does not spread easily even when it is an aggressive disease. He however raised although it was suppressed, it still claimed 56 lives.
“Ebola was easy to stop, but you remember, people couldn’t listen. Witch doctors and so-called religious leaders arrived, claiming to be able to treat and pray for the sick,” Museveni said.
“We have now overcome Ebola because people have listened, simple. I want to thank the medical staff because they are always on the frontline in this war; COVID19 and Ebola. Generally speaking, I must congratulate Ugandans, but I am not happy with the people who don’t listen,” he added.
Meanwhile, to date, the Ministry of Health says there are 142 confirmed cases including 56 deaths and 86 recoveries with no more contacts under follow-up.