Issue 69, June 2020 Arise A Women’s Development Magazine Published by ACFODE WOMEN AND COVID-19: Resilience, Adaptation & Action THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA MINISTRY OF HEALTH FACTSHEET

What you need to know about CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19 DISEASE)

What is Coronavirus? This is a new virus that causes a respiratory illness in people and animals and can spread from person-to- person through sneezing and coughing droplets. This virus has signs and symptoms similar to the common cold but is dangerous and if not reported early and managed by Health Workers it can cause severe illnesses in humans and can lead to death.

Where did Coronavirus come from? There are ongoing studies on the origins of Coronavirus. However, the current outbreak started in a large animal and seafood market in China, in a city called Wuhan.

How does Coronavirus spread? Initially, the virus was believed to be spread to humans through contact with infected animals. Currently, transmission is human-to-human. It occurs when an infected person’s sneeze or cough droplets come into contact with others.

Who is at risk? Everyone is at risk. However, severe symptoms and death appear more frequently among older people. People with underlying health conditions such as lung or heart diseases, renal failure or weak immune systems are noted to be at a higher risk of infection.

Currently, there is a huge outbreak in China which is spreading globally. Travellers to and from China are potentially, the most-at-risk.

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus? The full clinical presentation of the disease is still under investigation. However, most patients who have been seen so far present with: • Fever • Cough • Sore throat • Shortness of breath

How can Coronavirus be prevented? There are simple everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of the virus: • Avoid close contact with people who are visibly sick with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sneeze). • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. • Wash your hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Stay home when you experience these symptoms to avoid spreading illness to others. • The sick are encouraged to use a face-mask to cover the nose and mouth. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the dustbin and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. • Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as door handles and phones. THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA MINISTRY OF HEALTH FACTSHEET

What you need to know about CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19 DISEASE)

What is Coronavirus? This is a new virus that causes a respiratory illness in people and animals and can spread from person-to- person through sneezing and coughing droplets. This virus has signs and symptoms similar to the common cold but is dangerous and if not reported early and managed by Health Workers it can cause severe illnesses in humans and can lead to death. Vision Where did Coronavirus come from? A just society where There are ongoing studies on the origins of Coronavirus. However, the current outbreak started in a large gender equality is a animal and seafood market in China, in a city called Wuhan. OUR reality VISION How does Coronavirus spread? Initially, the virus was believed to be spread to humans through contact with infected animals. Currently, transmission is human-to-human. It occurs when an infected person’s sneeze or cough droplets come into contact with others. Who is at risk? Mission Core Everyone is at risk. However, severe symptoms and death appear more frequently among older people. To empower People with underlying health conditions such as lung or heart diseases, renal failure or weak immune Purpose women and systems are noted to be at a higher risk of infection. CORPOR ATE Advocacy for influence OUR Currently, there is a huge outbreak in China which is spreading globally. Travellers to and from China are VALUES gender equality potentially, the most-at-risk. legislation and MISSION and equity policy for gender What are the symptoms of Coronavirus? The full clinical presentation of the disease is still under investigation. However, most patients who have equality in been seen so far present with: Uganda • Fever • Cough • Sore throat • Shortness of breath Contributors How can Coronavirus be prevented? David Mugambe Mpiima There are simple everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of the virus: Beatrice Akite ACFODE Board of Directors • Avoid close contact with people who are visibly sick with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sneeze). Verena Kasirye 1. Chairperson - Dr. Euzobia M. Baine • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Arise Reporter 2. Vice Chairperson - Jean Kemitare • Wash your hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not Pauline Bangirana available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Editor In Chief 3. Treasurer - Gladys Nairuba Teddy Ayo • Stay home when you experience these symptoms to avoid spreading illness to others. Vera Nshemeire 4. Secretary - Regina Bafaki Brenda Asiimwe • The sick are encouraged to use a face-mask to cover the nose and mouth. 5. Board Member (Male Representative) - Richard Oketch • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the dustbin Editorial Team Kisembo Julius Brian Mutebi and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. 1. Regina Bafaki 6. Board Member - Linet Awor Agnes Dan Kabanda • Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as door handles and phones. 2. Hellen Twongyeirwe 7. Board Member - Hilda Twongyeire By Tajuba Paul 3. Julius Ocwinyo 8. Board Member - Carol Idembe Belinda Kyomuhendo

ARISE 69 • 3 CORONAVIRUS Factsheet

Is there a vaccine to prevent or cure a person from Coronavirus? There is currently no vaccine to protect against Coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus or to those infected with the virus.

Is there treatment? There is no specific antiviral treatment. However, people who have been infected should immediately, seek medical care to help relieve symptoms and manage complications.

How to manage someone with Coronavirus at home? The best place to manage a sick person with Coronavirus infection is in the hospital. However, if the patient is still managed at home you should: • Place the patient in a well-ventilated single room and provide the patient with a face-mask. • Limit the number of caretakers of the patient to only one person who is in good health. • Wash hands with running water and soap following all contact with sick persons or their immediate environment. • Avoid direct contact with body fluids, particularly oral or respiratory secretions or stool of the patient. • Avoid sharing toothbrushes, eating utensils, dishes, drinks, towels, washcloths or bed linen with the sick person. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs/handles, bedside tables, bedframes, and other bedroom furniture daily with regular household disinfectant or soap. • Clean and disinfect bathroom and toilet surfaces at least once a day with regular household disinfectant or soap. • Persons with symptoms should remain at home until their symptoms are resolved based on either clinical and/or laboratory findings. • All household members should be considered contacts and their health should be monitored. • If a household member develops symptoms of acute respiratory infection, including fever, cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing, follow the steps above.

KEY MESSAGES

• Travellers from any of the Coronavirus affected places or any person with signs symptoms should report to the nearest health facility or stay in isolation for at least 14 days. • Be on the lookout and avoid close contact with persons who show flu-like symptoms • Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing • Regularly wash hands with soap and running water • Thoroughly cook meat and eggs • Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals

For more information, call the Ministry of Health toll free line on: 0800 100066, 0800 203033 or send a free SMS to Ureport on 8500

4 • ARISE 69 Contents 7 FROM THE EDITOR

8 FEMALE LEADERS’ RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: The Silent Femininity and Masculinity Debate

12 UGANDA’S WOMEN POLITICIANS BRAVING ‘SCIENTIFIC’ELECTIONS

16 MOTHERLY CRISIS MANAGEMENT: REVISITING ANGELA MERKEL’S LEADERSHIP DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

20 WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS OF UGANDA

22 THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WOMEN

26 HOW A SINGLE MOTHER BUILT HER BUSINESS DURING COVID-19 IN KAMPALA

28 COVID-19 IMPACT:EXPERTS EXPLAIN MEASURES TO HELP UGANDA RECOVER

32 COVID19 AND EDUCATION: Impact on Schools, Learners, Parents and Guardians

39 THE RISE IN GBV: A Case of the Covid-19 Lockdown in Uganda

42 STREET TALK

46 FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS’ EXPERIENCE IN BATTLING COVID-19

49 BOOK REVIEWS

50 BOOK REVIEWS

ARISE 69 • 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Issue 68 May 2020

A Women’s Development Magazine Published by ACFODE

Unemployment, Labor Export & Human Trafficking?

Dear editor, Hello Arise editor, I found the magazine to be very informative I am of the view that individuals especially and educational. Many of the women and girl’s should use proper channels like girls who go for kyeyo abroad face a lot of registered companies when looking for jobs huddles and there isn’t a system in place abroad. This is to ensure that if any trouble to protect them. I hope that this issue will or challenges arise, there is someone who enlighten others to take precaution when can be held accountable. applying for jobs abroad. Sarah Akol – Illustrator Leticia Nansereko. Hello editor, Hello editor, It is very disheartening to hear such stories Thank you for such an amazing issue that from girls who are so young. I found the touches on issues that young girls face. With articles in this edition to be very insightful the high cases of unemployment in the and brought to light the suffering many country, youths especially girls have resorted go through but are too afraid to speak up to looking for jobs abroad. I too have heard about. I am a mother of two girls and I can’t several horrific stories that have destroyed imagine them going through what I have the lives of young girls. The government read. I shared the magazine with them needs to intervene and protect its citizens. and we talked about how they can protect Patricia Mugume – Freelance writer themselves. Jane Namata – Business woman

6 • ARISE 69 FROM THE EDITOR

Dear readers,

This year has been one filled with worry and anxiety that has not only taken over our nation but the entire world because of the Coronavirus. This virus that originated from China soon ravaged the world and made its way to Uganda by March.

The president of Uganda tried to mitigate the pandemic by initiating safety measures commonly known as Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) like the wearing of Masks, hand washing and sanitising and of course a nationwide lockdown. This lockdown meant that many women, men and children were confined to their homes for over four months. Vera Nshemeire Editor In Chief Inevitably, this led to unrest in homes as schools, work places and recreation centres [email protected] too were closed. Soon this unrest led to frustrations that manifested into fights where women and girls were mostly affected. By April, the number of gender based violence cases had risen to an alarming number of over 3,000 cases reported; the highest the Uganda police had ever recorded in such a short period of time.

Across the country young girls were and are still being sold into early marriage for money or livestock whereas many others were impregnated by those closest to them. This was brought about by the lockdown that restricted movement which generally affected those who live precariously. This being an election year has also brought with it its own challenges and with the requirement to observe the S.O.Ps enforced by the government, political candidates couldn’t hold campaigns like they used to. Thus the term scientific election was born. Coined by the president, scientific elections meant that the candidates have to find alternative methods of reaching their electorates. The media became the solution.

However, this has put women at a disadvantage because not all women have access to televisions, radios and mobile phones, especially in the rural areas where such devices are bought and used primarily by men.

Female candidates have also suffered several setbacks such as finding airtime on tv and radio stations which are costly and some of them cannot afford. In this issue we delve into the challenges that women have faced amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The examination of these issues that are specific to women unveils their vulnerabilities and substantiates the need for interventions by all stakeholders to empower women to know and stand up for their rights.

We hope you will enjoy this issue of Arise as much as you enjoyed the past ones and get more inspiration from it.

ARISE 69 • 7 Enjoy the read! FEMALE LEADERS’ RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: The Silent Femininity and Masculinity Debate

By David Mugambe Mpiima

he coronavirus female leaders have handled led countries did poorly. pandemic has ravaged the pandemic far better than Whereas the infection rates in the the world since the first their male counterparts the female-led countries were lower quarter of 2020. The world over. than in the male-led countries, Tvirus, believed to have originated The small number of female the bigger difference was in the from Wuhan in China, has led leaders, only 19, compared data for the deaths.2 Current to 1.6 million fatalities out of to nearly 200 male leaders, data shows that countries 37.2 million diagnosed cases.1 has brought about a big with women in leadership The pandemic has destabilised debate about the efficacy of positions have suffered six times global economies, restricted female leaders in leading the fewer confirmed deaths from international and local fight against the coronavirus. COVID-19 than countries led by movement owing to lockdown Countries like Germany, New men. measures, stretched health Zealand, Bangladesh, Taiwan, services and exercised the The coronavirus results for both Denmark, Finland, Sint Maarten, imagination of world leaders as female and male leaders are Iceland, Hong Kong and they attempted to keep their reflected in the identity dualities Norway, among others, have citizens safe. of femininity and masculinity experienced fewer cases and discourses. Men, the ‘masculine Covid-19 deaths have had a fewer deaths compared to self’, are usually defined as gendered aspect, with more male-led countries like the US, aggressive, competitive, risk- men dying than women for Pakistan, the UK, Ireland, Italy, takers and instrumentally both social and biological Spain, South Africa etc. oriented while women, the reasons. However, gender This analysis is not meant ‘feminine self’, are talked about comparisons do no stop at the to portray that all male-led as passive, nurturers, cooperative deaths since the starkest gender countries did badly with the and expressive.3 These and contrast is at the political level. coronavirus, because some, like Studies have concluded that 2 https://www.pri.org/ Vietnam, the Czech Republic, stories/2020-08-31/its-official- women-are-better-leaders- 1 https://www.theguardian.com/ Greece, Australia etc. did well. pandemic Accessed 12/10/2020 world/2020/aug/18/female-led- It simply sheds light on the fact countries-handled-coronavirus- 3 Jan E. Stets and Peter J. Burke better-study-jacinda-ardern-angela- that almost none of the female- (2000) Femininity/Masculinity http:// merkel Accessed 12/10/2020. rsp-lab11.ucr.edu/Papers/00b.pdf 8 • ARISE 69 other dualities have been on leaders could have sacrificed oriented-leadership style full display in the coronavirus lives in exchange for healthy in comparison to the task- response choices. economies. oriented male leadership style, women leaders are more Female leaders’ response to In her statement to the 41,500 hands-on, more democratic the pandemic people of Sint Maarten, Prime and communicate better. Minster Silveria Jacobs, bluntly Available analyses reveal that The democratic nature of female told the country: “Simply. Stop. the female leaders took decisive leaders’ approach to leadership Moving. If you don’t have the policy positions and quickly may account for the systematic bread you like in your house, responded to the Covid-19 approach that was seen in the eat crackers. Eat cereal. Eat oats. outbreak in comparison to the early days of the pandemic, Eat … sardines.” She also noted male leaders, whose masculine drawing a clear difference with that the country had only two penchant for taking risks could the botched attempts by many ICU beds, which was a potential have clouded their approach male presidents, some sending catastrophe should cases get to dealing with the pandemic. out confusing messages like The female leaders adopted out of hand. in the UK, US and Brazil. In proactive and coordinated In New Zealand, Jacinda Norway, Prime Minister Erna responses, including early Arden’s government sent out Solberg would directly speak lockdown measures for their clear messages, including text to children on several occasions countries. messages to explain the rules about the pandemic and safety 5 Whereas lockdowns had of engagement before the measures. economic implications, they lockdown in March and ramped Jacinta Ardern, the New Zealand quickly accepted the attendant up testing to 8,000 tests a day. premier, has delivered several economic risks to slow the She managed to defuse panic impassioned videos since she spread of the virus and mitigate with near motherly precision. first announced an initial 14- potential deaths. Unlike female day quarantine, delivering Policy analysts argue that leaders, studies show that male empathetic “stay home, save female leadership may be more leaders are more risk-averse lives” video messages from her engaged on issues of social where financial loss is a big couch and communicating tranquility, sustainability and likelihood4, hence the male daily through non-combative innovation, making societies press conferences or intimate Accessed 12/10/2020 more resilient to external shocks. 4 https://theconversation.com/are- Born out of the interpersonal 5 https://www.bbc.co.uk/ women-leaders-really-doing-better- newsround/51962307 Accessed on-coronavirus-the-data-backs-it- up-144809 Accessed 13/10/2020 13/10/2020 ARISE 69 • 9 Facebook Live videos, her Eventually, he, too, contracted favourite medium. the virus. It is also believed that women brought the She has insisted on saving Comparing the approach of the feminine nurturing role lives and taken on a kindness- male leaders and the female to the management first approach by urging New leaders, Dr Liji Thomas makes of the outbreak of the Zealanders to “look after their an interesting policy analysis. coronavirus. While neighbours, take care of the She compares the attitude of several male leaders vulnerable, and make sacrifices a strict parent and that of a tried to outdo one for the greater good of everyone.”6 nurturing one. She argues that another with hesitancy both are necessary for every like in the US, UK, It is also believed that women modern society but concludes Brazil, Singapore etc. brought the feminine nurturing that in the present pandemic and thus lost ground to role to the management of the situation, the nurturing parent the pandemic, outbreak of the coronavirus. has been more successful. She While several male leaders the COVID-19 interviews, Katrin believes that the success of the tried to outdo one another with explained that the country’s women leaders was a function hesitancy like in the US, UK, success was due to mass of their nurturing attitude. Brazil, Singapore etc. and thus testing, contact tracing and lost ground to the pandemic, Indeed, analysts like Professor emphasis on the importance of which led to unbridled deaths Supriya argue that a greater social distancing rules. However, and the quick spread of the virus, proportion of women in political pundits like Suyin others dismissed it as a hoax or a leadership correlates with Haynes of TIME 100 insist that mere flu ‘that would go away’. increased public healthcare the Icelandic prime minister did spending which is informed by well due to her humility and her As for the UK, the prime minister, their compassion and empathy ability to listen to science. “What Boris Johnson, had to contract in comparison to male leaders, we can learn from this is that it the virus first for him to change values that were evident at the is important to put your ego as his tone as deaths mounted height of the pandemic. Studies a politician aside and learn from while the US president was on leadership in both politics those humble scientists who dismissive as fatalities piled up. and business indicate that have been faced with a crisis President Trump could not even compassion and empathy are nobody could expect,” Katrin bring himself to tell the public abundantly synonymous with told journalists during a TIME to wear a mask or put on one women leaders, a feminine side 100 talk show discussion. himself. He instead focused that definitely helped the global on the economic impact of This, yet again, manifests the women leaders in handling the the virus control measures. motherly character of women coronavirus problem. in their bid to make the lives

6 https://www.theguardian.com/ Iceland was able to gain control of citizens of their countries a world/2020/apr/25/why-do- over COVID-19 because of the priority. female-leaders-seem-to-be- more-successful-at-managing- swiftness of the Prime Minister, In Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen, the-coronavirus-crisis# Accessed 12/10/2020 Katrin Jacobsdottir. In one of president of the Republic

10 • ARISE 69 of China, started quarantining travellers from China as early as 31 December 2019, before the world knew of coronavirus or as the world waited for guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO). She also digitised health records for ease of tracking infections, activated the Central Epidemic Command Centre and established a response team on STAY time. This was the decisiveness the world needed.

Conclusion

All data and analysis metrics have so far concluded that female- led countries have continued SAFE to fare comparatively well when measured against the male-led countries. They not only brought their femininity to managing the crisis and were decisive in saving human lives, but also inadvertently took risks on their FROM economies.

These could usually be masculine traits that were used to strengthen their nurturing trait to good effect. Their swift actions saved many lives by limiting infections and deaths. Several researchers have concluded that women leaders’ feminine traits such as empathy, care and compassion for human lives placed them in a better position to fight the coronavirus than the male leaders.

They resisted the urge to sacrifice human lives for their countries’ economies as the male leaders did. They were swift and clear in communication, and built functional health systems to deal with the outbreak. The result has been deaths that are six times fewer than those in male-led countries with comparable socio- economic conditions.

ARISE 69 • 11 s Uganda heads to the polls in the early months of A2021, Ugandans are watching to see how the campaign period will throw up. This is because, with the revised 2021 election road map, the Electoral Commission seems to have settled for what has been termed ‘scientific’ campaigns by not permitting open-air campaigns, in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines that prohibit mass gatherings in order to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The directive by the Electoral Commission regarding open- air campaigns ahead of the 2021 General Election continues to draw mixed reactions. For, while the ravaging coronavirus UGANDA’S pandemic is something to worry about, the ‘scientific’ campaigns and elections are battles to take part in. While previously WOMEN candidates would be battling with crowds, this time around, they will be striving to pull crowds POLITICIANS without engaging in face-to-face encounters.

In fact, as the country embraces BRAVING the virtual campaigns, rather than gatherings, this places new demands on the candidates, their ‘SCIENTIFIC’ parties as well as their supporters. While this mode of campaigning poses a big risk to many first-time ELECTIONS candidates who do not have a following already, the partisan By Beatrice Akite politicians are also struggling to keep abreast with the new normal. The need to change

12 • ARISE 69 from the famous crowd outreach always be health, especially for “It’s difficult to know one’s campaigns to the digital ones has women and children.” intentions. It might most likely not only disrupted the political trigger malpractice as old people Another candidate, Juanita plans of many candidates but cannot see a candidate, or when Magimbi, a candidate for also caused anguish generally they haven’t seen you. How the position of Nakawa East among the politicians. will they vote for you?” she asks. LC5 woman councilor, also Abur suggests that for one to be This article explores the readiness acknowledges the cost victorious, one needs to conduct of female political candidates to implications of scientific door-to-door campaigns. take up the ‘scientific’ campaigns campaigns. She notes that to garner supporters. it is very expensive to hold Akello Lucy, FDC, Woman MP, scientific campaigns because Amuru district, has been a Musiime Oliver, 58 years old, who of corruption. She explains that parliamentarian since 2014. She is running for the position of one needs money for almost has served in the 9th and 10th woman councillor for LC III Mbuya everything – posters, talk shows Parliaments. A social worker II on the National Resistance and advertisements, among by profession and specifically Movement (NRM) ticket, and other things. a human rights activist, Akello who has been in politics since has previously served with the 2006, has never before witnessed Magimbi advises female Justice and Peace Commission this turn of events. She explains candidates to leverage their in the Archdiocese of Gulu. that she is still struggling with networks to get through the Commenting on the new form the digital migration process, scientific campaigns. She of campaign, she notes that though slowly catching up, and is notes that as much as women being a leader already, she has to skeptical about the new directive sometimes lack the spirit of live by example, taking the virus to use virtual means to reach out sisterhood, they should still help seriously, listening to the experts, to her voters. one another and use their forum and encouraging others to do to reach the voters by word of She explains that with regard the same. mouth. to mainstream media like radio Unlike the other candidates, and television, those contesting She also cited the need to have she is privileged in that she national positions like that of banks that help women and can hosts a radio talk show about president may have access. “At bring down the cost of politics the pandemic twice a month. district level, this is possible if a so that many women with She does this on radio stations district has a radio station. But leadership skills at the grass roots in Gulu and West Nile districts, for a woman councillor like me can also join politics. She called since Amuru itself does not have in Mbuya, I highly doubt that I’ll for support from other countries any. She has taken advantage get any airtime,” she notes. She and more sensitisation of women of this to tell the people about says she will have to hire a social by other organisations. her intention to serve in the 11th media handler for her campaign, The expenses involved in Parliament. but notes that it is quite costly conducting scientific campaigns and limiting as compared to Since over 90% of the districts this year are also decried by Jasinter public rallies, as only people with are rural, with only about 5% Abur Ayo, woman councillor LC5 smart phones can be reached. having access to electricity, and Kwera/Okwongodul sub-county, only a small number of people She also plans to use agents, Dokolo district. Abur notes that having smart phones and very though she acknowledges the campaigns are extremely few able to afford solar panels that it is very hard to control expensive. This she explained in for charging the phones, Akello misrepresentation as compared connection with radio. She notes says the directive to campaign to having a public rally where that another challenge is that using social media platforms is voters personally listen to and old people may not understand unrealistic in a district like Amuru. ask questions basing on one’s what you are explaining on radio She notes that with a very poor manifesto. She asserts, “[The if they have not yet seen you road network and the connecting main thrust of] mine has and will physically.

ARISE 69 • 13 bridges commonly giving way in the most challenging issue for the rainy seasons, she often uses women in politics is the structure If we take the example motorcycles (boda-bodas) to of elective positions. She explains of women leaders in campaign from home to home that a woman on affirmative local governments in her sparsely populated district. action represents an entire who are not salaried, district while the men in a largely The dire need for change in the it means they have male-dominated society only political arena to do an extra job have a constituency with one to make ends meet. Accordingly, there are various sub-county or two to represent. Juggling this means underlying reasons why there “If I come from Gulu, my fuel they have to sacrifice are usually very few female one of the duties allowance is nearly the same candidates who successfully vie which can be lost in like that of my counterpart in for political positions. These are the long run. Our own the municipality. But remember, sometimes social, economic families sometimes I traverse the entire district, or political, or are family issues, don’t appreciate us as including the said municipality. among others. However, how leaders; they continue Where is the fairness in that and long will the number of female looking at you as a girl, how do you expect us to compete candidates who win in political which dents our self- favourably?” Aol notes that it is positions continue to be low? esteem and confidence. high time the legal framework Evelyn Kigongo, woman is reviewed to make it more be perceived as human beings, councillor aspirant, Bukesa accommodative. Otherwise, too, and as people who can parish, Kampala central division women in politics will continue contribute to the development (DP) believes that, in political to be marginalised. of society. parties, the age factor is a big Jessica Ababiku, Adjumani district challenge to young female However, according to Jova Woman MP (NRM), concurs with politicians. She explains that Kamateeka (Independent), Aol that the affirmative action the cultural bias where people Mitooma district woman positions don’t make sense think that women should not be representative, a change in because women are given a in leadership is still a hindrance. the law on change of names, wider constituency to cover “People, including your family especially for those vying for compared to men. “I have a two- members, can easily ask you elective politics, is essential. She constituency district containing why you are joining a game for remarks, “Women are the most eleven administrative units but men. So unless we dismantle affected because they take on these are shared between two the patriarchal mindset, politics their spouses’ names but then directly elected MPs, so you find will continue being dominated the process to change names is that we get very strained. We by men. The economic an uphill task. How do you expect don’t enjoy our tenure because disempowerment of women is a a councillor in Mitooma to sign a you are always running to cover serious challenge if one is going deed-poll, gazette and advertise an entire district but also torn to favourably compete in a highly their change of names? The law between your Parliament work monetised process,” she notes. should be changed so that those and individual initiatives,” she Kigongo adds that several of the that want to change names notes. women interested in politics under such circumstances just are housewives who have to first She explains that affirmative swear an affidavit. Otherwise seek consent to utilise family action has to be reviewed so several women have been locked resources. Therefore, the only that it enables a woman to out of politics because they way around this is to empower both perform and enjoy being adopted their husbands’ names women so they can have their a representative of the people. or may wish to drop them if the own resources. Noting that men in Uganda are couples are separated.” viewed as superior to women, According to Betty Aol Ocan, FDC Ritah Nakyanzi, National Youth she suggests that women should and Leader of Opposition (LoP), Secretary, Democratic Party (DP),

14 • ARISE 69 notes that women are not the in the long run. Our own families they heavily depend on public final decision-makers in political sometimes don’t appreciate us services so they should be the or leadership processes. She as leaders; they continue looking ones to fight this and fix that. How? explains that women either have at you as a girl, which dents our They need to be more creative to depend on their spouses or the self-esteem and confidence. during the Covid-19 times that top leadership, say in a political Numbers of women in politics have made campaigning virtual party, to make a decision. “So if remain low due to both structural and more expensive by deploying a woman wants to contest, they and societal reasons but I think tactics such as door-to-door have to first seek consent from a Covid19 is just going to escalate campaigning and build strong husband or secretary general or the situation because it has had agent networks that will reach district chairman, but that means adverse effects on the economy, where they cannot because the if you don’t agree with them on mostly impacting women,” she media is expensive and yet they certain issues, they might not remarked. don’t have the money.” allow you take a shot at your bid,” She noted that as we head To Frank Rusa, Executive she notes. into the virtual election period, Secretary, Interparty Organisation “The electoral violence that has gender-based violence, political for Dialogue (IPOD), women characterised our politics keeps finance, cultural beliefs and account for 58% of participants most women away because they practices, and menstrual and in the upcoming General are a softer gender. They might maternal health remain a stark Election. As a result, they not have the nerve to fight for reality that touches especially should be aware that whatever elective positions but we must young women, which diminishes challenges they face, the power appreciate that electoral violence their opportunities for becoming to change the terrain is in their is a governance question. If leaders. Structurally, she looks hands. “If it is monetisation that we don’t address ourselves to forward to that day when the has been derailing them, then good governance, the cycle country is able to achieve the 50- they should be confident that will continue being violent and 50 gender parity in Parliament, they can change that. Young locking out women,” she affirms. Cabinet, local governments and women in political parties say political parties. it is fellow women that bring According to Maria Ledochowska them down but if they are to Nnatabi, member of the However, according to Patricia favourably compete in the 2021 National Youth Council, Jinja Munabi, the Executive Director, general elections, organisations district and Butembe County Forum for Women in Democracy, and veteran women politicians MP aspirant (National Unity women should stop lamenting should be at the forefront of Platform), women have more about the challenges they face inspiring others that women responsibilities beyond politics. and stick up for each other. have the power to change their She explained that as women They should step away from the circumstances rather than fold engage in leadership, when their politics of rhetoric and focus their hands,” he clarifies. child falls sick, they are expected on articulating issues of service to take the child to hospital, but delivery like health and education Your vote matters that doesn’t mean the husband because it is women and children As the political temperature rises will not ask for food or a financial that are most affected by such day by day, amidst the economic boost to take the children back issues. hardships fuelled by the to school. Therefore, the women in politics coronavirus pandemic, there are “If we take the example of women should convince fellow women many hiccups in the campaigns leaders in local governments to vote for them. However, they and elections of 2021. However, who are not salaried, it means should also be ready to be these should not interfere with they have to do an extra job to held accountable. Ms Munabi our decision to cast our votes make ends meet. Juggling this comments: “We all know that come 2021. Remember, every means they have to sacrifice one it’s women that have the lowest vote counts, cast your vote for a of the duties which can be lost levels of income, which means woman candidate.

ARISE 69 • 15 MOTHERLY CRISIS MANAGEMENT: REVISITING ANGELA MERKEL’S LEADERSHIP DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC By Verena Kasirye

elebrating 15 years in was put to a test. Luckily, her confidence in science and office this November, Merkel’s response to this built facts certainly sets a precedent Angela Merkel is the on long-standing experiences in for other leaders to follow. European Union’s managing various crises where This alone does not do justice to lay Clongest serving leader and the she steered Germany and the out Merkel’s leadership success, world’s longest serving female EU through intricate dilemmas. which has been attributed head of government. Recently, During her 15 years in office, to manifold reasons. One of Merkel not only made headlines Merkel had been titled the them is the chancellor’s frank with her tenure jubilee but “chancellor of crises“, precisely communication and mediation even more so with her style because of her involvement in efforts, which have been a of leadership during the the 2007 financial crisis and characteristic of her leadership coronavirus crisis. Heralded as 2015 refugee crisis. Although her all throughout the pandemic. A Germany’s “silver bullet“ of crisis decisions in these were never key moment in this must have management,1 the 66 year old undisputed, they still shaped been Merkel’s televised speech has been leading by example a leader with stamina to fight in March, addressing the people and many leaders look to her through adversities. of Germany over previously for guidance and inspiration. Lucky coincidence, Germany adopted lockdown measures. Particularly for women, it is faced the coronavirus not only Perhaps it was the novelty of a promising quest to explore with such an experienced crisis the situation – it is unheard of a what Angela Merkel has to manager but also with a scientist German chancellor to address offer that makes her leadership in the lead. A trained quantum the nation on a political matter during the pandemic so chemist, Merkel has been on TV – or perhaps it was her remarkable and exemplary. applying a strong scientific angle emphatic speech that validated The coronavirus pandemic hit to her emergency response her words. What stuck was that, Germany in many ways: the and her crisis management while she presented the hard health and social system were has been tied closely to the facts on the virus, she repeatedly strained, the economy fell into recommendations of notable called for compassion and made recession and social cohesion virologists and epidemiologists. it clear that she expected no Her approach does not less of every citizen than to act 1 Boden, Cindy (2020). Angela Merkel: Ausland feiert Deutschlands distinguish her leadership in solidarity with all members of „Wunder-Waffe“ - vier Komponenten entirely from other nations, but society. entscheidend. In: Merkur, 23.10.2020.

16 • ARISE 69 During her 15 years in office, Merkel had been titled the “chancellor of crises“, precisely because of her involvement in the 2007 financial crisis and 2015 refugee crisis. Although her decisions in these were never undisputed, they still shaped a leader with stamina to fight through adversities.

What followed were several sense and heart. Even when again in two weeks. It’s just not more speeches that all similarly the coronavirus cases increased enough what we’re doing here. struck the right note: Her again, she did not point the Everyone is just looking for their mixture of sobriety about the finger but rather resorted to loopholes.” facts and empathy with her pleading and reasoning with the Interestingly, the public did not people overshadowed the tense people of Germany, who wanted rate this as a blow to her success atmosphere in the country. to see a return to normalcy faster but rather as an assertion of her Unlike during the refugee than she deemed possible. authenticity and genuine care crisis, her affirmative “We can Internationally, this for the well-being of the country. do this“-mantra installed real communicative approach has Many were also surprised by confidence in the people and been named a key trait of her such an offhand remark of the gained their support for the leadership although it not only chancellor who had often been lockdown measures: Germany’s bore success. criticised for her neutrality and coronavirus cases dropped in the supposed lack of charisma. subsequent weeks and Merkel’s In Germany, the federal states approval ratings soared. remain with strong decision- While this one may have slipped, making powers so that their Merkel’s generally level-headed Authenticity and care recent reluctance to impose a leadership is exemplary for During the summer months, second lockdown caused Merkel her history of sailing the ship Merkel’s style of leadership visible frustration. When the steadily when Germany hit continued this course. Many federal states refused to get on stormy seas. Already before the times she has been heard to board with stricter measures, she pandemic, it was the chancellor’s plead with people to show replied in defiance: “Then we’ll sit rational decision-making and

ARISE 69 • 17 modest manner that gained during the previous years has many who saw her unable to her government a high level of been astounding because it follow in the footsteps of her trust.2 During the pandemic, does not match the classical great - and male - predecessors. her style of leadership remained description of “leading“. Rather Some reduced mommy Merkel pragmatic, her communication than standing at the front, to what they deemed the only straight-forward and her she “leads from the centre“, a suitable “position of power“ appearance calm. Instead of former German minister had for a woman: motherhood.6 polarising, Merkel unites. Instead once remarked. And rather than Merkel has meanwhile spat of making electrifying promises, pressing ahead and wearing out an edgy re-interpretation she keeps sailing the ship sturdily blinkers for the people’s needs, of this motherhood. Along like an experienced captain who Angela Merkel has been a caring with her political growth, knows that the storm is not yet leader who urges for empathy mommy Merkel now refers over. This persistence in Merkel’s and collaboration. Her leadership to a compassionate leader or, leadership has resulted in much has been characterised by as Bernard Koucher, former international attention: Recently, pragmatism and resilience to Foreign Secretary of France, new terms like “Merkelina” have keep searching for the middle put it “a woman who knows lauded her determination to road and adjusting to new how to be strong but never problem-solving and setting demands. This is also the path harsh.“7 With her leadership good examples.3 that she has been walking during style having gained approval the coronavirus pandemic and over many years, Angela Merkel In fact, setting good examples which was famously labelled the has become a mother figure for is another trait that makes the “hammer and dance “strategy.4 the nation of Germany and for list of Merkel’s leadership style: German, maybe even European, When the chancellor found out While several observers had politics. she had been in contact with indeed labelled her a lame a doctor who tested positive duck after her resignation Her care and sense of duty for COVID-19, she immediately as party leader in 2018 and is what make her not only a quarantined in her home in announcement not to compete great crisis manager but also Berlin, where she conducted in the next elections, Merkel a laudable female leader. As her government business for emerged, once again, as a solid a mother figure in Germany’s two weeks. Unlike other world crisis manager.5 Retrospectively, recent political history, she has leaders defying medical advice it seems Germany’s first female shown a range of characteristics and government policies, chancellor has been handling that were key in her successful her actions underlined her the crisis with the foresight of a crisis management and that credibility and once again real leader. Ironically, in her early are attributed to many female validated the public’s approval of years as a politician, Merkel was heads of state: resilience, her. Post quarantine, little can be target of a lot of mockery that empathy, collaboration, care, criticised about Merkel’s setting saw her as unable to stand up to pragmatism, and courage, to an example. Diligently, she has this very task. name only a few.8 Not only been wearing a mask, sticking Angela Merkel ticks these boxes As a protégée of former to the government guidelines but numerous other female chancellor Kohl, she was known and conducting high-level leaders do. as his “little girl“ and in her government meetings digitally. first years as chancellor was 6 Raether, Till (2017). Die Mutti Lessons for female leadership sarcastically titled “mommy“, aller Schlachten. In: Süddeutsche expressing the disregard of Zeitung Magazin, 12.03.2017. All in all, Merkel’s leadership 7 Duffé, Julian et al. (2020). Le Maire, during the pandemic and 4 France24 (2020). Germany’s ‚eternal Raffarin, Ayrault, Kouchner… ils chancellor‘ Angela Merkel marks racontent «leur» Merkel, au pouvoir 15 years in office. In: France24, depuis 15 ans. In: Le Parisien, 2 Fukuyama, in: Podcast “Stunde 22.11.2020. 21.11.2020. Null“. 5 Kottasová, Ivana (2020). How 8 Champoux-Paille, Louise; Croteau, 3 Roa, Ricarda (2020). Sin circo, Angela Merkel went from lame duck Anne-Marie (2020). Why are women Merkel cerca al virus. In: Clarín, to global leader on coronavirus. In: leaders excelling during coronavirus? 21.04.2020. CNN Wolrd, 07.05.2020. In: Independent, 22.05.2020.

18 • ARISE 69 ARISE 69 • 19 WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS OF UGANDA By Anisha Alinda

n the recently concluded politics, mainly due to policies However, despite the efforts, elections in the United and legal frameworks set up the numbers are low in the high States of America, Ms. by the Government, especially echelons of power, with only 10 IKamala Harris became the affirmative action. This is female ministers in Cabinet, first female Vice President of demonstrated by a record- and yet women account for the world’s biggest democracy. setting appointment of the 51% of the population, which as She stands as a beacon for girls first female Vice President in of Thursday, 12 November, 2020 across the globe, someone they any African nation in 1994, Ms. stood at 46,252,544. According can look up to as they pursue Specioza Wandera Kazibwe, to UN Women’s facts and their paths in life’s different and the provision for a woman figures, we see that women spheres, whether business or member of Parliament for are less likely to participate in politics. She has set the pace to each district in the country and politics and are constrained increased political participation mandatory seats for women in from achieving the highest of women in politics at a local government councils in leadership positions, which global level and of the fight for the Constitution of 1995. As a pales for continued support recognising women’s capacity result of this affirmative action, and empowerment. to ably contribute to the Uganda ranks 35 and 37, with Nevertheless, the 2021 economic, social, and political the greatest number of women Uganda elections provide a development of their respective in ministerial and parliamentary glimmer of hope for women countries. positions at 33.3% and 34.9%, representation; a glance reveals respectively (UN Women’s At a local level, Uganda has that more women are running global statistics of women in witnessed a steady growth for political seats right from political positions, 2020). in women’s participation in local councils to top positions

20 • ARISE 69 like the head of state due to to work twice as hard as the continued empowerment, men to raise finances, conduct awareness, and confidence. campaigns, and get their voices These women have stepped heard while presenting their up, defied the odds, not just manifestos and delivering because of the opportunities their agenda to voters. It is that have unfolded but usually such toil, high levels of because they believe that they scrutiny on their private lives, can serve this country with let alone the traditional norms dignity and honor as evidenced about women in society that by Ms. Nancy Kalembe, the only discourage other women with female aspirant in the Uganda the desire to get into politics. Presidential race, in her own Women are essential agents words, of positive change and “I avail myself to “I avail myself to my country tomorrow’s leaders if only my country Uganda, Uganda, offering service and they can actively participate offering service leadership at this opportune and get involved. As rightly and leadership time not for the sake of diversity noted by the United Nations at this opportune but I ascend to the podium Secretary-General Antonio time not for the because of the conviction born Gueterres, women’s leadership sake of diversity within my heart, the vision of in all spheres is critical to but I ascend to the what I aspire to see and the finding the fastest, safest route podium because of passion that inspires me.” through this pandemic and the conviction born building a more peaceful and Whereas there have been within my heart, stable future. We applaud laudable efforts to enhance the vision of what I all women representatives women’s participation in aspire to see and the running for political office in politics, women in Uganda passion that inspires the forthcoming elections. We especially aspirants face greater me.” call upon more women to join challenges during the election leadership from their various Ms. Nancy Kalembe, process. They are less likely to be spheres of influence. given significant responsibilities in their political parties, have

ARISE 69 • 21 THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WOMEN By Pauline Bangirana

22 • ARISE 69 irst identified in Wuhan, commodities and yet customers cut down on salon visits. Money China in December are constantly complaining of is now scarce and yet some 2019, coronavirus not having money,” Nalumansi things have been hiked in terms Fresulted in an ongoing says. of prices,” Nakasi says. pandemic and, the world over, She adds that to access some She asserts that the cost of more than 32 million cases places where commodities are hair products has been hiked have been reported with more available, she has had to bribe because manufacturers and than 900,000 deaths. Across security guards to be allowed wholesalers use the excuse that the globe, the most effective entry, a venture that has proved taxes on products are high and measure for dealing with the costly in the long run. things are no longer transported disease has been lockdown. by sea but by air. “My costs have doubled Unfortunately, around March overnight with increased “Hair products that used to cost 2020, the pandemic hit the transport, plus the scarcity of 5, 000 shillings have been hiked Pearl of Africa and it, too, went products. As such, my profit are by 3, 000 shillings, meaning into total lockdown following hardly there,” she says. that I, too, have to increase an address by His Excellency prices but people come and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a Nalumansi notes that owing tell you that they are broke. bid to prevent the spread of to this crisis, she exploited her Some of the money I’m owed Covid-19. networks and started operating I have written off as bad debts online with the help of her because they keep telling me A total lockdown meant that daughter. all the various sectors of the that they do not have money at country’s economy were shut “I, however, had to send my the moment,” Nakasi says. children to the village as the down with the exception of Nakasi believes that if the cost of living was high and essential sectors. In the midst government can restore frustration was wearing me of the lockdown, various transport to normalcy, this will down as feeding them was economic activities were greatly help many women becoming impossible,” she says. affected; women, too, were not running small businesses, such spared. The lockdown resulted Much as she is still trying to make as herself. in various occurrences such as ends meet, she is considering Grace Nanyonga Mugisha, job loss, business closures and venturing into something else, commonly referred to as reduced income flow, among although she has yet to make ‘Fish Girl’, narrates that her many others. But how has this up her mind. experience during Covid-19 was affected the economic activities She suggests that the quite painful. undertaken by women? Pauline government can reduce the “Much as I am in agriculture, Bangirana shares experiences taxes imposed on products in transport was closed and it from various women on how order to effectively help women was difficult to get a sticker as Covid-19 has affected their in business and also offer loans a small entrepreneur. I tried to economic status. or recovery capital to women lobby at Uganda Manufacturers who have incurred losses and A walk to Owino Market Association and I was told that have had to close down as a leads to an interaction with stickers were finished. The only result of the pandemic. Carol Nalumansi who shares mode of transport at the time that following Covid-19, her On the other hand, Violet Nakasi, was a truck which I did not business was affected as the a salon owner, shares that have to transport my produce. It area where she operated from following the onset of Covid-19, did not make economic sense was closed off. She thus had to her customers drastically since I usually deliver fish in stop working. Her situation was reduced. small quantities. I was, however, made worse by the rise in costs. advised to print stickers for my “Most people resorted to finding company, Granafish Suppliers “Wholesalers increased prices of alternatives for their hair and

ARISE 69 • 23 Limited and place them on my trucks. This affected my profits crisis is no exception for Ganda, car. I was then able to move but at least I did not close down who says that she has learnt with my fish,” she shares. my business.” how to appreciate technology, “especially marketing, as I can Nanyonga says that she was able Border closures affected now maximise usage of social to make some sales because Nanyonga’s other avenue to media, hence limiting the cost most people were home and earn extra income, which is her of movements in the field to her mode of business is door- occupation as a motivational look for market and delivery.” to-door delivery. This also paved speaker. the way for acquiring new Owing to the crisis, Ganda Aisha Ganda, proprietor of customers that she got during borrowed money from friends Snacks 4 U, which processes lockdown and to date she still and family and this has enabled groundnuts, hard corn, daddies, supplies them with fish. her to rise up and make up for groundnut paste and simsim/ the losses due to the pandemic. During the lockdown, in a bid to sesame paste shares that, find a way to keep her business economically, Covid-19 has She concludes: “I have learnt afloat, she would hire a pick-up posed a tough challenge to her. that making friends is important truck to help her with delivery. before selling a product. The “I experienced great losses when However, since turn-boys were loyal customers I had are lockdown was announced. My not allowed on trucks, Nanyonga the ones that have relatively products went bad since the became a turn-boy and in the sustained me till now. It has supply chains and demand process, she developed a back also prompted me to do more were affected,” Ganda says. problem since she had to carry research about better ways of the items herself. She shares that she had not keeping in business.” restocked yet owing to limited Like with any pandemic, the Phionah Komugisha, an capital. As such, she was unable agriculturalist shares her own entrepreneur and financial to carry on with business since lessons from this period. She adviser, shares that most most places, such as arcades, realised the need to work women are known to have were locked up and public harder and acquire a pick-up endless money supply owing transportation was banned. The for her business so that in case to their saving habits and their lockdown worsened inflation, of another crisis like this, she involvement in small saving resulting in hiked prices and the can transport her produce. groups famously known as excuse sellers were giving was ‘bigombe’. Additionally, having She urges women “Covid-19”, something that was a little money stashed away entrepreneurs to make use of beyond her control. reassures a woman that on their networks and friends in Transport fares are higher now a rainy day her family will the different offices because, compared to before the onset not go hungry. Covid-19 has through her own networks, she of Covid-19, which affects the seen women deplete most of was able to speak to the Minister small profit her small enterprise their secret cash stash owing of Transport, who advised her should have made. to expenditure outstripping on how best to go about her income. business. Ganda shares that she is experiencing low purchasing Komugisha notes that some She also calls upon women power owing to the closure women lost their jobs or the to be flexible: “Do not stick to of places like schools and purchasing power of their something and be glued to it. the limited number of social business clients dropped owing Think as per the environment, occasions held, areas where she to the impact of Covid-19. They conditions. I got frustrated when was able to sell her products have, thus, been unable to raise the police was not allowing me with reasonable profit. enough funds to keep the saving to deliver fish yet fish is under circles going or replenished. agriculture. I had to think However, there is always light at outside the box and start hiring the end of the tunnel and this “In contrast, many women

24 • ARISE 69 have stepped up their game A mother of three, Kyarisiima qualities and abilities. Financial and ventured into income- started something extra, giving literacy is an important aspect generating activities that can her two streams of income. She in successful management of be run from home. We have says that the pandemic was an business. Practical financial seen more women acquiring eye-opener for her and urges literacy can help women skills in e-commerce, basic skills women to be more enterprising manage and uphold healthy such as baking, farming, liquid and pay attention to their businesses. Further to the above, soap-making, candle-making, passion because it can be an grants and loans advanced with backyard gardening and crafts- income stream. She also sells minimum interest rates will be making, among others. These tea leaves, a venture she says is beneficial in reviving female-run are all an additional source of starting to pay off. enterprises.” income,” the financial advisor Women are enterprising and The economic impact of the shares. resilient and most female-run pandemic include a slowdown Dorcas Kyarisiima shares that businesses are quite successful. in business activity, especially prior to the pandemic, she was Women, therefore, play an with regard to women- a sales and marketing agent important role in reviving owned small-scale businesses; with a steel and aluminium both the informal and formal unemployment, maintain the company in Mutundwe and the sectors of trade that have been widening of the poverty gap; and pay was reasonable. negatively affected by the an increase in debts, especially pandemic, Komugisha asserts. for those who obtained loans for She shares, “When lockdown business start-ups. Thus, as the was announced and I was In a bid to find a solution, country works towards reviving terminated a few weeks later, I Komugisha asserts that women its economy, women will play a used the knowledge I acquired are not islands unto themselves vital role in its restoration and, while working to start up my and that a little push on the therefore, urge the government own freelance hustle but the back will go a long way in to revise taxes on products and difference is that this time ensuring that the economy make loans available to women. around, I am earning more benefits. She remarks, “We These would be a much-needed money.” can actually leverage these boost to the women’s efforts.

ARISE 69 • 25 How a Single Mother Built Her Business during Covid-19 in Kampala By Teddy Ayo

bought an old, decrepit container Cathy was required to pay weekly ‘Aunty Cathy’, as she is widely for USh. 400,000. She also had instalments on both loans. She known by her peers and clients to pay monthly ground rent of said both financial institutions in the vicinity, operates a tiny, USh. 50,000 for the location of offered her a loan without ramshackle tin-sheet kiosk the container. She successfully much emphasis on collateral nestled under an avocado tree. and promptly serviced this loan or security but rather as a way Initially, she ventured into this within a year. of empowering existing small business with capital of less women-owned enterprises. However, at the onset of the than USh. 400,000 and with this coronavirus pandemic in March After getting the loans, the money she rented a container 2020, Aunty Cathy wanted to following day, she went and paid that sat on a patch of land at expand her business and solve half of her children’s schools fees USh. 100,000 per month. The some of her personal problems, in the bank, as any responsible location was off the busy highway. so she applied for another loan parent would do. She hoped With the rest of the money she worth USh. 2,000,000 from to complete the school fees stocked up the stall with goods BRAC. She was granted the balance before the term’s end. such as sweets, toilet paper, whole sum of money basing on To her utter dismay, however, on bottled mineral water, sugar, salt her meticulous performance on Sunday of the same week, the and salted roast groundnuts. the first loan. In the same week president of Uganda addressed However, after operating the she obtained the BRAC loan, a the nation in connection with business for five months with close friend also introduced her the Covid-19 pandemic and little success, and operating with to another financial institution ordered the closure of all schools minimal capital, she obtained a called ASSA, and at ASSA she as one of the measures intended business loan of USh. 500,000 was lucky enough to get another to curb the spread of coronavirus. from BRAC. Out of this loan she loan of USh. 500,000. Aunty

26 • ARISE 69 She said that at the time the most of the food didn’t sell and drinking water that she sold at president was speaking, she had it was her own family that ate USh. 200 per kaveera, which her ears glued to her radio, and the leftovers. What they couldn’t yielded a daily profit of USh. when he mentioned the closure eat they offered free of charge to 2,000. of schools, she felt as if someone neighbours or even to stray dogs. When I asked her how she had sent a flying kick straight into The kafunda restaurant therefore managed to juggle and multitask her front teeth. died a ‘fast, painful death.’ in her business, she replied, “As She also said that at that moment When the restaurant business a woman, you must learn to be she wished that she had been a failed to make a profit she quickly creative. If you fail at one thing, little bit more patient and waited hatched a new plan and set up a don’t give up; try the next one.” till Monday to pay her children’s chapatti business in front of her She said that she was able to pay school fees. Maybe that money shop. She had all the materials rent for both her business and would have been injected into and recipes she needed for the home and that she considered her business to expand it. She chapattis in her shop. She was this business as her “everything” commented, however, that it’s even lucky enough to have a and as her “husband”. useless to cry over spilt milk. female neighbour next door who taught her the best way to deep She advised women to be With part of the loans, she bought fry a chapatti in such a way that focused and to love the work a fridge-deep freezer, which, it wasn’t time-consuming and, at they do by giving it all their time according to my estimate, could the same time, ensured that the and attention and to make their have cost about USh. 1,000,000. chapatti was tasty. own money because men are She added stock worth USh. unpredictable. 100,000, including packets of The end result was that a lot of sweets, dozens of toilet paper, clients loved the chapattis and “They [men] can abandon you matches, salt, sugar, baking bought them in bulk, with some, with children. And then what will flour, salted roast groundnuts, a like South Sudanese families, you do if you were just relying on crate of beer and a crate of soda, buying up to 20 chapattis per day. his daily allowance [kameza]?” among others. Her sales increased so that from she asked. using one packet of baking flour She tried her hand at selling local She also said that the sales of per day, she went up five or more, food. She thus stocked all the her beers and soda chilled in giving her a minimum profit of basic equipment and foodstuffs the deep freezer increased USh. 25,000 daily. With this profit, she needed like a charcoal-stove tremendously since most bars she gladly serviced her weekly (sigiri), saucepans, a bunch of and night clubs were closed loan and interest payments of plantain (matoke), maize flour and most beer lovers resorted to USh. 62,000 at BRAC and USh. (posho), meat, rice, groundnut buying drinks from kafunda such 32,000 at ASSA. paste (binyebwa), beans and as hers. At the beginning she sold vegetables, among others. With Aunty Cathy incorporated only five bottles of beer per day the requirements purchased, pineapple juice production but now she was selling three or she opened a kafunda restaurant into her business. She boiled more crates of beer daily. and the menu varied in cost from pineapple skins with pounded Her 16-year-old daughter, who USh. 2,000 to USh. 4,000 per ginger and tea leaves, and was very passionate about plate depending on which sauce sometimes added sugar, climate change, collected plastic one ordered. depending on whether the bottles and donated them to customer preferred sweetened However, the food business a nearby Pentecostal church. or sugarless juice. The pineapple didn’t last even a month. At However, she now planned to juice alone fetched a profit of not that time, potential customers open her own recycling plant and less than USh. 10,000 since she were hard to come by, given that save the ocean and the planet produced more than 20 litres of everyone was in lockdown and from pollution. This daughter the juice daily and packed the many would-be customers had and her siblings also helped their juice in small polythene bags either been laid off or couldn’t mother in the shop with some (buveera, singular kaveera), each afford restaurant food even if she errands since all schools were of which she sold at USh. 500. was to charge only USh. 1,000 closed owing to Covid-19. per plate. Therefore every day She also boiled and packaged

ARISE 69 • 27 COVID-19 IMPACT: EXPERTS EXPLAIN MEASURES TO HELP UGANDA RECOVER

By Brenda Asiimwe

he outbreak of the Moses Kabanda, the economic stress, exacerbating Covid-19 pandemic Assistant Commissioner for their vulnerability. This is coupled in March 2020 found microeconomic policy at the with the risk of facing household TUganda struggling with Ministry of Finance, the picture is conflict and domestic violence,” the advent of desert locusts, much grimmer, with economic states the paper. floods, floating islands and activities slowing further to Besides women and girls, the an unprecedented rise in the 3.1% compared to the 5% that report also highlights the plight water level of Lake Victoria that Kasaija had earlier projected. of persons with disabilities displaced hundreds of people. In the same financial year, (PWDs), people living with HIV, Although the government government data indicates immigrants, refugees and the maintained that it had managed that the country suffered a youth, who have been affected to contain the aforementioned revenue shortfall of over USh. 3 owing to unequal power plethora of natural disasters, trillion. Experts say it is unlikely relations and social pressures. the slowdown of Uganda’s that Uganda and other African To contextualise the magnitude economy, occasioned by the governments will achieve their of the problem, the United national lockdown measures to revenue targets. Nations, in a report on the socio- curb the spread of Covid-19, was The economic regression, economic impact of Covid-19 apparent. according to an economic in Uganda that was released In a June statement to outlook and policy paper last week, warned that the Parliament on Uganda’s developed by a consortium of disruptions in the economy economic outlook in the experts from UN Women, the are already pushing 3.1 million face of Covid-19, the Minister Ministry of Finance, the Equal Ugandans into poverty, with for Finance, Planning and Opportunities Commission and women, PWDs and the youth Economic Development, Matia civil society organisations, has being most affected. The report Kasaija said that the economic had a more adverse effect on shows that the lockdown and growth projection in 2019/20 the more vulnerable groups. containment measures made had been revised downwards 1.9 million non-poor individuals “The total halt on income- from 6.0% to between 5.2 and become insecure and another 1.9 generating ventures, especially 5.7%, depending on how long million insecure individuals poor. for workers in the informal Covid-19 and its severity would sector, has deepened poverty However, Kabanda says that be with us. among women and placed despite many of the people However, according to many of them under additional being hit hard by the current

28 • ARISE 69 situation, all is not lost with the Alliance (FRA), says. easing of measures in some She adds that alongside fiscal sectors. stimulus packages, the available “Signs of economic recovery data indicates that there is a gap have started to take shape and in Uganda’s food governance with further relaxation of the systems, escalated by Covid-19 measures that government but with a direct bearing on rolled out to curb the spread women and other vulnerable of Covid-19, the Gross Domestic groups. Product (GDP) growth is “Household food security has projected to accelerate to 4.5%,” been more resilient to shocks Kabanda says. such as pandemics, but Yet for some observers and Agnes Kirabo, the executive director, national food security suffers Food Rights Alliance economic experts, with the under such shocks, weakening pandemic throwing 3 million household food security further Ugandans back into the poverty sector ventures. Given the to contribute to those 3 million bracket, the key question that disproportionate adverse people slipping back into remains is: Will Uganda survive social-economic impact on poverty. Therefore, Covid-19 the financial shocks precipitated women and other vulnerable serves to remind government by Covid-19 elsewhere around groups, it is imperative that to put back food in its primary the world? gender equality concerns are position as a national priority due to its significant role in “To close the economic pitfalls, embedded in national fiscal macro-economic stability, government needs to readjust stimulus packages as well as human security, and national its administrative cost policies in the design of national policy stability overall as well as an to ensure that there is more responses,” Agnes Kirabo, the underlying determinant of money to support the informal Executive Director, Food Rights

ARISE 69 • 29 to USh.10, 300, than in urban year announced postponement areas, where spending dropped of the payment of some taxes from USh.13, 100 to USh. 12, 300. by Covid-19-affected businesses. However, according to Nsereko, Despite this, the report says that the stay of payment of taxes is more households find that their nugatory because “this means income does not meet their businesses will have to pay these daily needs now compared to taxes at some point but what we January 2020 (26% compared are saying is that people should to 22% previously). either be bailed out or given tax The Kampala Central MP, exemptions if businesses that Muhammad Nsereko, argues generate revenue for economic that the only way to ensure growth are to recover.” business cash flow and It should be noted that the increase consumption is for government secured an the government to intervene in The Kampala Central interest-free loan from the checking the high-interest loans MP, Muhammad International Monetary Fund by commercial banks to enable Nsereko, argues worth $491M (USh. 1.8 trillion) to low-income earners to access that the only way to help local businesses recover. friendly financial services and to ensure business cash Part of this money, which was make direct cash injections into flow and increase reflected in the national budget, the economy. consumption is for is intended to recapitalise the government “The private sector needs cash Uganda Development Bank to intervene in bailouts and tax exemptions (UDB) to enable small and checking the high- for a given period but, most medium enterprises (SMEs) interest loans by importantly, we should see to access capital to generate commercial banks to increased and innovative enable low-income liquidity for the financial sector. financing for women- and earners to access During his budget speech, youth-dominated enterprises friendly financial Kasaija said that the government because these SMEs need to services and to make had earmarked a USh.138 recapitalise their ventures by direct cash injections billion package to facilitate the getting easy access to cheap into the economy. country’s import substitution credit and interest-free start-up and export promotion strategy. capital with a grace period of 3-6 months,” Nsereko advised. However, Dr Cosmas Mwikirize, a lecturer in the Department He added that “the stimulus of Electrical and Computer other social outcomes such as packages should be able to Engineering at Makerere health,” said Kirabo. address major challenges University, said that although like unemployment among In their July study on livelihoods the funding to boost local vulnerable populations like under Covid-19, FRA and production for export was a refugee communities and Twaweza jointly state that, on good start, it is only a drop in women in marketplaces making average, Ugandans reported the ocean. that their households were a livelihood and providing other spending USh.10, 800 per services in order to minimise According to a May 2020 Private day, down from USh.14, 100 the effects from the lockdown.” Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) report, most private in January of this year before To cushion businesses that sector businesses that were Covid-19 broke out. were thrown off-balance by operating at between 50-60% the effects of Covid-19, the The drop was said to be sharper capacity have now declined government in the new financial in rural areas, from USh. 14, 600 to about 20%, with general

30 • ARISE 69 business activity reducing by addition. them,” said Katabazi. 50%. “The already high Since Uganda is an agrarian Furthermore, the Economic unemployment levels have economy, experts have also Policy Research Centre Uganda been exacerbated by the advised the government to Business Climate Index, May Covid-19 pandemic due to the pump more money into the 2020 revealed that 65% of economic shutdown. What we agricultural sector in order to businesses reported a decline in need to see now is government spur productivity and improve their ability to repay loans as a skilling these populations such household income if the result of the risk associated with as the youth, then investing in devastating impact of Covid-19 Covid-19 and the subsequent public infrastructure projects is to be reversed measures taken to contain the that can employ these young “The economy is picking up, disease. but able-bodied vibrant but clients are not coming. The women and men. Women in The Executive Director, Centre question is, where do you put the informal sector, who have for Budget and Tax Policy, the stimulus? Where should we been working and earning from Patrick Katabazi advocates be focusing? We are an agrarian hand to mouth such as hawkers, for investment in skilling the economy and that is where all roadside sellers, market vendors population to diversify the effort should be put,” Dr Fred of non-food items, salons, businesses and find alternative Muhumuza, an economist and among others, have had their income sources in addition lecturer at Makerere University, businesses affected, so you to establishing common said. need to create alternatives for user facilities aiming at value

ARISE 69 • 31 n 20 March 2020, President Yoweri K. Museveni, in an Oeffort to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, closed schools and other educational institutions. This then left an estimated 15 million students (from pre-primary to university) and the over 300,000 teachers idle at home. After the initial reopening of schools announced by the Minister of Education and First Lady was postponed, speculation COVID19 AND EDUCATION: became the order of the day.

Eventually, the eagerly Impact on Schools, expected reopening of schools started in a phased manner, Learners, Parents and first in September 2020 for finalists of universities and tertiary institutions teaching Guardians health courses. In a televised broadcast, the President then By Richard Oketch announced 15 October 2020 as the date for candidate classes (P.7, S.4 and S.6) as well as for finalists in institutions of higher learning to resume school. Subsequently, the Minister of Education released the full timetable for the reopening of schools for terms two and three, including the dates for Uganda National Examinations Board

32 • ARISE 69 (UNEB) examinations. remote/distance-learning with templates, as well as notes and schools’ online materials and video lessons prepared by the The impact of Covid-19 on lessons, National Curriculum teachers. Websites of schools the education sector since Development Centre (NCDC) like Standard High School, Zana the closure of schools and home-schooling packages had open e-learning platforms the announcement of the delivered via newspapers pull- freely accessible to the public. reopening on 15 October 2020 outs, as well as pre-recorded However, these are generally for finalists has since become lessons conducted by teachers teacher-centred methods. a subject of heated debate over the various state and amongst all stakeholders. Nascent national privately owned TV/radio telecommunication and ICT Impact on the curriculum stations. infrastructure With close to three-quarters Herein lay the woes of schools, This ICT predicament in of the academic year in 2020 students and parents. In education is exemplified missed, a lot of uncertainty Uganda, one of the least by Uganda’s ICT status quo. still hangs in the air in the prepared countries in Africa in Statistics from National face of safety concerns, and ICT infrastructure, penetration Information Technology compensation for the missed and usage, only a handful of Authority – Uganda (NITA-UG) curriculum coverage as well as schools could boast of websites 2017/2018 and Uganda Bureau the final exams for candidate and e-learning platforms in the of Statistics paint the following classes and finalists in pre-Covid-19 lockdown. grim picture: nationally, 10.8% institutions. Schools such as King’s College of households had internet; Remote learning experiences Buddo, Gayaza High School, 12.1% of households used the and Standard High School, internet; 5.9% of households had In the absence of the normal Zana, among others, were able access to a computer at home; school learning experience to engage their students in mobile phone ownership stood since the closure of schools in remote learning programmes at 70.9% of the population; March 2020, students were left with integrated e-libraries and radio ownership at 65.3%; TV to cope in the best way they e-learning platforms, having ownership at 21.8%; and to date, could, with a semblance of customised self-instructional mobile users stand at 21.6%;

ARISE 69 • 33 while internet users stand at need to build capacity among Economic impact on 18.8%. parents and teachers to assist education in learning outside of the In a situation where Uganda’s The economic effects on classroom.” rural dwellers constituted 76% education are adverse. The of the national population in Psycho-social impact of nation was shocked with images 2018, implying that the majority Covid-19 on learners on TV screens and the print of the 15 million learners are media of professional teachers The media was awash with located in rural areas, it is not frying chapatis on the roadside, reports of cries and concerns difficult to see the predicament drenched in mud making clay from parents, the community, of schools as far as equity in bricks in swamps, and hawking civil society organisations, the online/digital learning solutions a myriad of petty goods on the Local Government and even is concerned. streets and villages. the United Nations, regarding A two-day virtual Global Peace Covid-19’s negative impact On 14 July 2020, the New Vision Leadership Conference (GPLC) on the morals and social life carried the moving story of in East Africa on 30 April 2020- of school-going children and Stuart Lubwama, head teacher 1, May 2020 grappled with youth. of Victorian High School in this challenge. Global Peace Entebbe, making chapatis The six months stay-at-home Foundation Vice President, Dr by the roadside in an effort to period since the end of March Tony Devine, noted the two- survive the Covid-19 financial 2020, coupled with the absence edged digital reality amidst the meltdown. Many teachers, of parents/guardians during Covid-19 impact on education. especially in the private schools, working hours, has exposed “Scientific knowledge is have vowed never to return to the children, particularly the creating new opportunities the classroom to teach! girl child, to risky behaviour, and solutions that can enrich sexual harassment and Many schools had hardly our lives, while at the same abuse/defilement, potentially collected tuition for term one time fuelling disruptive waves endangering the return of many from parents/guardians before of change in every sector,” he students to school. the lockdown was clamped said. “It is time to start mapping on schools without warning, out a strategy of a hybrid online Five hundred forty-seven girls and private schools that solely learning approach in concert were reportedly defiled in rely on tuition payment were with the in-school experience.” Kampala within the first four particularly hard-hit. According months of the total lockdown, The conference explored several to the heads of schools, most according to The Independent complementary approaches to of them could only pay their Magazine in its 31 August 2020 addressing the Covid-19 crisis. staff full monthly salaries up online edition. Many Local Speakers from Oracle Academy to April 2020, and thereafter Governments reported similar and Google Classroom suspended or discontinued any worrying statistics in their areas. reassured the education further payments indefinitely. Boys have resorted to working sector of existing entirely free for income; therefore many may There were also outright resources, including curricula, not be easy to convince to return layoffs in some cases. Heads of classroom learning resources, to school after developing a love institutions were at a loss how software, cloud technology and for money. to continue sustaining schools practice environments, available without tuition inflow while at every level of instruction. Despite the continued danger faced with constant overheads of Covid-19, parents/guardians Patrick Kogola, of the Centre for such as payments for utilities, of students in candidate Mathematics and Technology especially electricity and water, classes are deeply worried Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), facilitation of essential staff, and about the disruption of the said, “The pandemic has called administrative expenses. final-year studies that they fear us to rethink education, to will diminish their children’s Government-owned and realise it is not confined to competence in their final government-aided schools were four walls of the classroom. We exams. stunned by the directive of the

34 • ARISE 69 Ministry of Finance to schools intervention of the Government School, a USE school in Mukono to return the capitation grants of Uganda, which has pledged district, confirmed that despite disbursed to their accounts support through the Uganda the financial challenges caused for term two 2020, claiming Development Bank, and USh. by the lockdown, management that schools were closed and 25 billion to teachers’ SACCOs. had to do its best to prepare therefore the monies were not for reopening. “We have at least Reopening of schools used! bought one temperature gun, According to the raft of Standard besides other requirements,” Very many schools are servicing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for she said. “Can you imagine bank loans that are now schools and institutions released here students pay tuition of unserviceable, or deemed to by the Ministry of Education and only 150,000 shillings, which is be a liability to the Directors, Sports, requirements include even paid in bits?” she added, forcing them to either negotiate the provision of multiple hand- expressing the desperate with banks for restructuring washing facilities, disinfection situation of the majority of the the loans, and/or place their equipment, temperature- schools, which she warned were institutions for sale, a case in reading guns, isolation rooms, in dire need of support from point being Najjera Progressive well equipped sick bays, social the Ministry of Education and School, a private school. This distancing of students and Sports (MOES) in implementing financial squeeze will likely staff, the creation of Covid-19 the SOPs. compromise the quality of standby task teams, and education outcomes in the Mr Okumu Jedhone, head having a trained focal teacher short and long term. teacher of Erussi Secondary as well as a qualified nurse or School, a remote government- On 26 June 2020 the New Vision medical practitioner. Schools owned USE school in Nebbi, reported that over 4,300 private must operate only as day or urgently called upon the primary and secondary schools boarding institutions, but not MOES to intervene in such USE across the country risked closure both. Teachers and students schools, by increasing capitation due to the effects of Covid-19, are not to use public means to grants or providing some sort of which would affect about 1.5 commute to school. additional financial support. He million primary school pupils Schools, parents and other called upon the school alumni and over 300,000 secondary stakeholders’ response on and the community to step in school students! This in itself strategies for safe reopening and assist in solving some of the would have a huge trickle-down of schools teething problems the school impact on the overall economy is facing such as fencing and of the country. Such a situation Mrs Aziida N. Nsubuga, head teacher accommodation, that should be averted through the teacher of Kasawo Secondary are vital in implementing the

ARISE 69 • 35 laid down SOPs. time, but had grown weary phased reopening of schools of each postponement of the for candidates and finalists The head of Kyambogo College reopening of schools. He added only is a pilot whose success or School, Ms Helen Twongyeirwe, that “in view of the phased failure will determine whether while acknowledging that reopening of schools starting the rest of the classes can also the peri-urban school had with candidate classes, spacing safely resume next year,” she the capacity to observe social will be quite adequate.” emphasised. distancing and to provide sanitary facilities, however On another note, the ASSHU She cautioned schools that expressed the challenge of Chairperson thanked the failure to ensure the safety recovering fees debts from term Minister of Education/First Lady, and health of the learners will one, given the high number Mrs Kataha Janet Museveni, for cause loss of public confidence of students from low-income “understanding the situation of and ultimately loss of revenue. families it serves, as well as the schools” as per her letter to the Regarding concerns about the danger of losing some students Ministry of Finance arguing for SOPs on transport modalities, who may not manage to schools to be allowed to retain she added that “…it calls for joint change to boarding status. the grants for term two. effort with the community… Just imagine a learner daily Mr Mugisha Justus, the FUFA He strongly appealed to the sitting next to a stranger in a Vice President, a teacher Directorate of Education commuter taxi whose previous and Director of Standard Standards (DES) to support the whereabouts are unknown.” High School, Zana, another heads of schools with more prominent private secondary “on spot inspections” focusing On the other hand, she called school located in Wakiso district, on delivery, compliance with on school heads to make called on the MOES to be more SOPs and motivating heads of arrangements with Local flexible towards schools. He departments with their physical Governments to make available advised that, for example, “… presence, noting that “their work verifiable means of transport schools should be allowed to as DES is now more diversified dedicated to learners and innovate some programmes amidst the Covid-19 pandemic”, teachers of particular schools, to sustain their learners in and called for more resources. as this will minimise the non-candidate classes, such exposure of learners to Covid-19. Ministry of Education and as administering self-study On her part as head of DES, Sports’ responsibility materials during the lockdown, she pledged support by her at a small cost.” Efforts to reach the Asst. institution that had to inspect Commissioner of Secondary schools and issue a certificate of He, however, cautioned schools Education, a member of the compliance to each school that to embrace the SOPs so as Education Task Force on meets the minimum SOPs. not to compromise the safety education, for more guidance and health of the learners. In In conclusion, with the for schools in implementing the connection with private schools reopening of schools for SOPs, were fruitless. However, that are essentially in education candidates and finalists, it is Dr Dedrace Turyagyenda, the as a business, he warned that evident that more needs to be Director of the Directorate of putting students at risk in the done to prepare for the rest of Education Standards (DES), name of business (income) may the classes. Much stakeholder spoke to the writer in a phone undermine the schools if they engagement is needed interview. offer sub-standard service. between the MOES, schools, In response to the major management and governing Mr Okiria Martin Obore, the challenges cited by some heads bodies, parents and the public chairperson of the Association of schools and institutions after to dialogue and partner in of Secondary School Heads the release of the reopening ensuring successful resumption (ASSHU), in a telephone calendar, Dr Turyagyenda said of studies in this initial phase interview expressed the feeling the overriding priority of the while awaiting the second of most heads of schools, who MOES and government is the phase for non-candidate classes had been prepared for a long safety of the learners. “The next year.

36 • ARISE 69 PREVENTION OF COVID-19 AT STORES

Following the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic, most of the Member States have put in place a number of measures, including those a ecting store, to fight the spread of the disease. Some safety measure to minimise the exposure to COVID-19 at store include:

Wear Mask 1 Every time before entering and during in the store

Clean Your Hands 2 Use handsanitizer before and after shopping

3 Temperature Check Check the temperature before entering

4 Keep Safe Distance Keep 2 metre of safe distance 2 metre

Be safe, for you, and othersARISE 69 • 37 38 • ARISE 69 THE RISE IN GBV: A Case of the Covid-19 Lockdown in Uganda By Brian Mutebi

n the thick of the coronavirus- Hon. Tumwebaze wrote: “We sex-related crimes, according induced lockdown, Scovia note with great concern the to the annual police crime Akurut, a Kumi district-based increasing cases of Gender- report, were 15,638. This means Isocial worker, awoke to a cry Based Violence (GBV) in families that more SGBV cases were at her door. Concerned, she throughout the country. Some registered in the first six months rushed to find a woman with of these cases have already of 2020 majorly because of the a blood-stained shirt and tears claimed lives, even before Covid-19 lockdown compared rolling down her face. Her story Covid-19 does so.” to the whole of 2019! Of the was one she had heard before: a 16,000 cases in the first half of husband had beaten a wife and The data 2020, the Director of Criminal sold off the only food available Investigations Department (CID) in the house. Even after the caution by of the Police, Grace Akullo, said the Minister, the numbers that 6,888 involved children. “This was not the first, and documented by the Uganda neither was it the last. I saw Police and government partners She further explained that the more violence than I can kept rising. First was a report Elgon region had the biggest fathom during the lockdown,” on GBV that confirmed 3,000 number of cases, with 489 the Atutur Hospital-based cases of domestic violence and cases of defilement alone, Akurut narrates. “The worst six deaths recorded across the followed by North Kyoga with thing about that period was country between 30 March and 444, East Kyoga with 425, and that everything was shut down 30 April 2020, a period of just Kampala Metropolitan North and the survivors had nowhere one month. with 293. Greater Masaka had to go. I felt defeated!” 394, Albertine 393, Bukedi 384, Then came a mid-year report, Aswa 348, Busoga East 316, and Indeed, the number of abuse still by the police, that confirmed Rwenzori West 311. cases soared across the country that even more abuse was and prompted a response from happening. Sexual gender- Mbale district topped the the Minister of Gender, Labour based violence (SGBV) cases district list with about 200 cases and Social Development, Frank across the country added up to of defilement. It was followed Tumwebaze. In an opinion over 16,000 between the months by Arua with 125, Kamuli 122, piece published in the New of January and June 2020. This is Tororo 95, Buyende 93, Bududa Vision in April, a concerned significant. In the whole of 2019, 88, Buikwe 87, Masaka 85, and

ARISE 69 • 39 Kassanda 82, while Katwe Capital Radio, Geoffrey Nsubuga unleashed on the women with Division in Kampala recorded Simbwa, the organisation’s no money of their own to flee,” 122 cases. director, said that districts she explains. with the highest prevalence Soon, The Daily Monitor (July 27th) Who is most at-risk? were Kampala, Busia, Bugiri, reported a total of 128 school Tororo and Zombo. “Cases of In an article with The girls married off in Kyegegwa, parents taking their children Independent (June 15th) Cyrus Rakai and Luweero districts. A to men to earn food or money Samson Omara, the Regional closer look revealed that Kamira have increased,” he said. “This Police Commander for North sub-county in Luweero district is evident in different slums Bukedi, pointed to the notion alone recorded a mammoth like Katanga and Kisenyi in of power: citing the examples number of 20 underage girls Kampala, where residents rely from the region, he said that married off. on daily retail trade, and border many families still believe in The defilement cases that led to areas like Zombo, where coffee the conservative culture that pregnancy stood at a worrisome growing has been a main source men have greater authority 2,372 girls in the districts of of survival.” than women; most men in the Kitgum, Ngora, Kyegegwa, Bukedi districts have subjected Kasese and Lyantonde during To understand why it was main- their women to torture, claiming the lockdown. ly women who were victims, a to be exercising said power. 2020 UNFPA report on the in- It could be getting worse: A Julius Kisembo, a human rights creased cases of GBV looks into UNFPA report on teenage activist and LC 1 Chairperson the impact of the lockdown. pregnancy in Uganda during for Kisota village, Kisaasi in First, the researchers reckon and post the Covid-19 lockdown Kawempe division, Kampala, that where movement is re- told of how Luuka district alone concurs that power dynamics stricted and people are con- had more than 600 cases in homes played a big part in fined at home, women and girls between the months of January the high numbers of domestic are at greater risk of experienc- and July 2020. Violence against violence cases during the ing GBV. “This is partly because, children, in general, stood lockdown. “Many men had their in the event where the man is at over 21,000 between the work frozen by the lockdown the sole breadwinner, he may months of March and July 2020. and were at home not earning. feel pressure in the face of eco- Yet some women, such as civil What stuck out, though, was nomic hardship resulting from servants, continued to earn. the fact that victims of violence the outbreak and the inability But even where it was women were mostly women and girls. to work, causing tensions and who were earning, because of For example, of the reported conflict in the household, and the power that men wield at 6,888 children sexually abused possibly leading to violence,” home, they wanted to decide between the months of January UNFPA researchers noted. what to eat and, generally, and June 2020, Akullu said that spend on. The men would ask 6,805 were girls, and 83 were their spouses, ‘Who are you in boys. Tina Musuya, a women’s rights activist, also the CEDOVIP this home? I am the man in this The reasons behind high Executive Director, believes that home; I take the decisions.’ That GBV cases this has a lot to do with power. would sometimes degenerate into violence if the woman In some instances, timely By that, Musuya means the attempted to question that research on child labour economic advantage men have power.” during the lockdown, by over women; this means that Somero Uganda, a child they decide what law in their Kisembo says violence was rights organisation, found that homestead is and they will do reported by both cohabiting girls had been forced into anything to ensure their word and married couples. Most prostitution by their parents is final. “Locked together for a cases were reported by persons and guardians. Speaking to long period, that power was between 25-40 years, and he

40 • ARISE 69 explains the reasons. “This is who allegedly raped a teenager a category of people majority with nodding syndrome in To understand of who live in rented homes, why it was mainly Nwoya district, confirms that and whose work and therefore women who were funding is pertinent. While earning was affected by the victims, a 2020 speaking to NTV about the case, lockdown. They were faced UNFPA report on George Okecho, the officer in with a situation of high family the increased cases charge of Got Apwoyo police demands without having of GBV looks into station, in Nwoya district, said income. When a wife expressed the impact of the that Akena was released on a need, the husband would think lockdown. First, police bond because there she just doesn’t understand the the researchers wasn’t enough information to situation. Frustrated, the man reckon that where charge him. A well facilitated would respond with violence. movement is police department could have It could also be because this restricted and people made the difference. category of people is more are confined at exposed to drugs and drug home, women and Besides funding, Tina Musuya abuse than older people,” girls are at greater suggests long-term, multi-fac- Kisembo contends. risk of experiencing eted approaches to gender GBV. “This is partly transformation in our societ- Cases of violence committed because, in the event ies. “Power dynamics have to by ex-lovers were also reported. where the man is the change,” she says. “We should “The lockdown made people sole breadwinner, he stop insinuations that nor- redundant and, in a bid to ward may feel pressure in malise violence, for example, off boredom, some attempted the face of economic notions that make it okay for to rekindle ex-relationships, and hardship resulting husbands to beat wives. That is rejection would arouse violence from the outbreak how we beat GBV!” from the rejected party,” says and the inability Kisembo, adding that generally to work, causing Law enforcement should be younger persons reported fewer tensions and conflict gender-responsive, especially cases of violence compared to in the household, in the way GBV survivors are older ones for fear of retaliation and possibly leading treated. “Sometimes domestic by their partners once to violence,” UNFPA violence is reported to the summoned by the authorities. researchers noted. authorities and it’s branded bedroom or family matters For Musuya, the pandemic that ought to be handled at intensified the injustice so much home. These are not bedroom that she worries there are far matters; we are talking about more cases than were recorded. life and death,” argues Kisembo. There is reason to suggest so. In Personnel who handle GBV a bid to respond to the outbreak cases, beginning with local of the Covid-19 pandemic, council leaders who often are childcare lines meant to cater the first line of contact in the for abuse cases were all turned search for justice, need training lines to their intended role and into coronavirus hotlines. At the tailored to GBV. same time, response teams to allow some social workers from civil society who would to provide the much-needed The Deputy Inspector General supplement government efforts psychosocial support services. of Police, Muzeeyi Sabiiti, reckons that sensitisation will in curbing GBV were locked up Way forward at home and not listed among deliver. “Training and awareness Efforts to curb GBV need the essential workers. It took remains a key tool. It is through government funding. A look at some pressure from civil society this that you create disciples for the case of one Patrick Akena, for the government to return the good.”

ARISE 69 • 41 WHAT SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA DO TO BETTER PREPARE FOR HEALTH EMERGENCIES LIKE COVID 19 AND GIVEN THAT COVID 19 LOOKS LIKE IT IS HERE TO STAY? BY DAN KABANDA

Sematimba Peter, Butabika

The government should try equipping health centers with all necessary medical emergency services and equipment needed such as testing and provide drugs to those who may be affected especially the elderly with chronic conditions because they are affected more in such times. Secondly, the government should increase the number of staff and medical personnel in the health centers in order to increase services to an overwhelming number of patients. Now that the virus is here, we just need to adapt to the new normal and come to terms with it. We should avoid crowds, maintain vigilance as individuals and take care of ourselve.

42 • ARISE 69 Mama Mirembe Kisasi Cell

Those in charge should now invest heavily in health care systems that can handle pandemics and health emergencies. We have handled serious diseases before such as Ebola and we defeated it. I also ask the government to help equip private health facilities with all necessary supplies that are required. Since covid-19 is big, behavior change is the main thing. The government should re focus and prioritize modern and mechanized agriculture because we need food all the time as the president said. - Mama Mirembe.

Joseph, Kulambiro, Rasta

The Ministry of Health should empower the local government hospitals at lower levels nearer communities such as HC 3 and HC 4 to be able to handle covid-19 cases and not leave this to hospitals in big towns. We have heard patients being chased away because of no space for them to be admitted. In future, they should create emergency services and units in these facilities. The government should continue sensitization of the people about corona and how to avoid it.

ARISE 69 • 43 Kanyesigye Hannington, Kyebando

We have seen so many hospitals in poor conditions during this lock down and cannot handle such big emergencies like covid-19. Therefore, the government should create good working conditions; pay health workers well in these hospitals and in turn will help health care givers to perform in order to attend to medical emergencies or huge demands. In future, the people in charge of money should increase the health budget. The president should intervene in such other than spend money on RDCs, Advisors.

Agnes Ainomugisha, Mpererwe

African countries especially Uganda can never be prepared for emergencies. We have seen so many emergencies happening but people just ‘eat’ money. Some of them are even simple to avoid but corruption in many if not all government institutions is the main issue. So much money was collected and it would have been used to support or upgrade the hospitals where corona patients can be admitted but nothing was done. I think, in future, the government can think of renovating, re building and making the hospitals bigger so that they can admit more people during difficult times such as this.

44 • ARISE 69 Martha, Ntinda

Because testing is a key part of dealing with a pandemic or emergency, there needs to be plans for accessing additional testing services and their capacity. Authorities also need to consider whether to stock the chemicals and equipment to use, although which risks them being wasted if a pandemic doesn’t occur before their use-by dates. Alternatively, they can prepare to find ways of making or buying of these items quickly when needed, which may cause a slight delay but ensures that the equipment is the most appropriate for the specific pandemic.

Mama Sara, Najeera

We all know that emergencies occur in any country and covid-19 is among them. We in Uganda thought it’s for the developed countries only and therefore didn’t prepare. It has shown us that we need to have an emergency fund or money to cater for such. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness only knows about floods and sometimes fails to handle, we didn’t expect it to handle covid-19. It should do more research about such a disease and not take anything for granted because as Uganda, we are poor and can’t manage such. We need to give more money to Ministry of Health and Disaster Preparedness.

ARISE 69 • 45 Frontline health workers’ experience in battling COVID-19

By Tajuba Paul

pandemic. In Uganda, the first case was registered at Entebbe International Airport in March from a national returning from Dubai.

Entebbe General Referral Hospital, a few kilometres from the airport, had in the previous weeks been prepared to handle such cases. Dr Muhammad Mubiru, the principal hospital administrator, was in charge of seeing that the hospital run efficiently.

“In the beginning, we requested them [health workers] to volunteer. The clinicians and nurses who volunteered were not enough, and there was fear Dr Muhammad Mubiru, n mid-March 2020, Ugandans of contracting the disease,” Dr the principal hospital were thrown into panic. They Mubiru says administrator, was in charge were facing a new, highly of seeing that the hospital run contagious viral disease, The experience of handling the I first case was overwhelming efficiently. coronavirus (COVID-19), that had spread to the country through for Dr Mubiru and his frontline its airport. Health workers were health workers. stretched to the limit: offering “At first, there was a psychological preventive measures and breakdown among health treating patients without prior workers and patients. COVID-19 experience. is a new disease, and we knew The coronavirus, which started in little about it,” he adds. China at the end of 2019 had by The hospital hired psychologists mid-March, turned into a global to provide counseling to health

46 • ARISE 69 workers as well as the patients. had any infection of its workers. tracing, all these measures slowed down the spread of the With the hospital suffering “Fatigue remains one of the virus. human resources shortfalls, the biggest challenges to our health central government mobilised workers, though. Many stay away Borders too were closed to means to incentivise frontline from their families for a month,” travellers, at least on paper. But workers and beefed up the he says. with porous borders and East numbers from different hospitals African countries having different And when they are allowed to to fill the gap in Entebbe. approaches to managing the go home, they first had to be disease, border districts became “At one time”, Dr. Mubiru says, tested and quarantined before hotspots for the virus. “the hospitals admitted more they could resume work. than 160 confirmed cases in For instance, Rakai and Masaka “COVID-19 is now in the and around Kampala as several districts, which are not far communities, and we do not others were being ferried from from Tanzania, have had a fair want any health worker who has across the country. The facility share of the disease burden. been in communities to treat was becoming congested, and Tanzania declined to institute patients before being tested,” he health workers were stretched any lockdowns as a measure to adds. to the limit. Many were working control COVID-19. in shifts and for very long hours.” Dr. Mubiru says his best Dr. Mark Jjuuko, the head of the experience has been being able “We passed a policy that health Covid-19 Masaka Treatment Unit, to reduce inpatients from 160 to workers would spend no more has been at Masaka Regional only three as of 20th October. The than 30 minutes in COVID-19 Referral Hospital for nearly five new admissions, he says, have suspects’ rooms, and health years. started picking up significantly workers were to go there in pairs after the reopening of the airport. “It has been [a] scaring yet such that work is done quickly,” interesting experience. Every he adds. Uganda has been commended other day we develop new for its management of COVID-19. This strategy worked. With techniques of handling From shutting down Entebbe constant reminders to health COVID-19 patients, and we add International Airport in mid- professionals to follow standard on expertise in handling them March as a measure to stop operating procedures (SOPs), Dr. along the way,” Dr. Jjuuko says. visitors from high-risk countries Mubiru says the hospital has not from getting in, to contact “Handling patients with a new

ARISE 69 • 47 disease without a cure is itself a quality of food and hygiene Nursing, says that COVID-19 has scare. But we are trained to treat at quarantine centres. He says taught him a lot. people. I put on a mask every the patients forgot that health “It has been protecting yourself time and sanitise every other workers were sacrificing a lot to first before you protect your minute,” he adds. ensure they are treated very well patients,” Twineomugisha says. and sent home alive. Dr Jjuuko appreciates Having worked at Nyakibale government incentives to health “It was unexpected and uncalled Hospital in Rukungiri District workers, including the provision for, especially at a time when in the emergency department of protective gears that have we devoted our best to save our and later Masaka Regional proved effective in protecting countrymen and women from Referral Hospital in the same them from contracting the this disease,” he says. department, he says this has virus. He however warns that There have been good moments made him better prepared to communities are not taking the as well; seeing their efforts yield confront the disease. preventive messages seriously. results. Many members of the public, Dr “But you need to be brave Jjuuko says, think COVID-19 is a “The time we discharged our and willing to sacrifice your hoax. first patient at Masaka Regional life for others. COVID-19 is very Referral Hospital when the contagious, with no cure,” he “The population is very whole world was on its knees says. complacent to a very dangerous – because the disease had no disease. Today we see the virus Twineomugisha says the cure – is a momentous moment picking out the vulnerable government has provided to remember and celebrate,” Dr. members of the population, and protective gear to frontline Jjuuko adds. we should protect our elderly workers, and this should and those with pre-existing But he is quick to warn those who continue until the disease is conditions,” he says. see many patients discharged defeated. The communities too, and think COVID-19 is a common he adds, must play their part if “Why don’t you want to wear a flu that doesn’t require caution. COVID-19 – which has ravaged mask or sanitise? Tell our people Since the disease is new, he says, the economy – is to be defeated to be serious about this disease the damage to internal organs soon. otherwise, it may escalate might be a catalyst for future and we see more deaths,” he “We have talked enough; the lethal conditions. cautions. government has done its part, The best option is to avoid but failure to comply with our Uganda had registered 97 contracting the disease by messages remains a mystery. We COVID-19 related deaths as following SOPs such as wearing beg the public to comply and of October 21. As the disease a mask, sanitising, and washing stop the spread of COVID.” spreads in communities, there hands, he advises. are fears that more deaths Twineomugisha cites July could be recorded considering “My message is simple; avoid as one of his most intense the fact that Uganda has many contracting COVID-19 because moments when at the height of people living with HIV/AIDs, we are now seeing people who infections there was a shortage diabetes, cancer, hypertension, have developed complications of quarantine facilities and many among others. People with such after recovering. They suffer from frontline workers were poorly diseases, according to experts, heart complications, breathing facilitated. have a high risk of dying from problems, and chest pain. We COVID-19 is treatable, and no one COVID-19. do not know what they will be should hide or be discriminated after five years,” he says Dr. Jjuuko says his lowest against for contracting the moment so far while handling Deus Twineomugisha, who disease. However, extra care to Covid-19 has been when patients holds a Diploma in Emergency avoid contracting it should be went on a strike citing the poor Medicine from Jinja School of the ultimate goal.

48 • ARISE 69 BOOK REVIEWS

TITLE:STAY WITH ME

AUTHOR: AYOBAMI ADEBAYO

PUBLISHER: KNOPF PUBLISHING GROUP

REVIEWER: BELINDA KYOMUHENDO

Typically, many African thing she wants the most -- loss takes center stage. In one communities do not openly motherhood. comic scene, she treks up the discuss infertility. When the “Mountain of Jaw-Dropping issue is addressed, it is only When the guilt, and trips to Miracles” to visit a healer named in hushed tones and even doctors and healers don’t Prophet Josiah, who has her then, it’s almost always to work, Akin’s female relatives dance with a white goat she’s mock or blame the woman. convince Akin to take another dragged to the summit as The women at the center of wife, a younger woman named his chanting followers swarm these unfortunate situations Funmi. Yejide is horrified; Akin her. She soon believes she’s are often subjected to verbal is ashamed. Both thought they pregnant, despite doctors’ torment and are even targeted were modern Nigerians and insistence that there is no baby. with degrading songs sung didn’t believe in polygamy. about childless women. The When Yejide eventually does “This life is not difficult, Yejide. man in this scenario is always bear fruit, she discovers that at If you cannot have children, protected, with his infertility least two of her three children allow my son to have some with concealed at all costs, even by suffer from sickle cell disease. Funmi. See, we are not asking his wife. They are thus relegated to you to stand up from your place a life of pain, of waiting for Women’s Prize for Fiction in his life, we are just saying you the next “crisis”. Akin’s role in Nominee (2017), “Stay with Me” should shift so someone else all this is unhelpful. It is the is a beautiful debut novel by can sit down.”-Moomi (Mother- women who are strong and 29-year-old Nigerian author In-Law) the men who mess things up, Ayobami Adebayo. The book yet the patriarchal tradition is Such dialogue and vivid gives audiences an inside look stringently held to. Stay With Me characters bring this novel to at how other cultures address is an emotional roll coaster with life. There is the rival hairdresser, infertility. The book is narrated many twists and turns. Ayobami Iya Bolu; Akin’s womanizing by a young, beautiful, intelligent, Adebayo forces the readers to brother, Dotun; and Yejide’s cruel educated businesswoman question traditional attitudes stepmothers, who were also named Yejide, and her husband toward women, the importance extra wives to her father, her own Akin, who is a successful banker. of motherhood and deference mother having died in childbirth. Although it was love at first toward their husbands. This Yejide’s worsening nightmare sight for Akin, who has provided debut novel is absolutely one of of mistaken pregnancies and Yejide with her hearts’ desires, the best books of the year. childlessness becoming child he has yet to give her the one

ARISE 69 • 49 BOOK REVIEWS

TITLE: BEHOLD THE DREAMERS

AUTHOR: IMBOLO MBUE

PUBLISHER: BY RANDOM HOUSE

REVIEWER: BELINDA KYOMUHENDO

“Bad news has a way of slithering into his previous job. is a black man with no father or good days and making a mockery of mother, trying to be president over complacent joys” Clark grows to trust Jende, and Neni a country!” eventually takes a temporary job From 2017 PEN/Faulkner Award for cleaning and cooking at the Edwards’ Underneath all this are also Fiction comes a debut novel about second home. It doesn’t take long questions of love and marriage. an immigrant couple striving to before Jende and Neni both learn that The trials and tribulations that get ahead as the Great Recession the Edwards’ marriage isn’t as perfect Jende and Neni encounter in hits home. With empathy, insight, as it might seem. This becomes their relationship, the challenges and wit, Imbolo Mbue has written painfully apparent after Lehman in the Edwards’ marriage and a compulsively readable story Brothers declares bankruptcy just the comparable but understated about marriage, class, race, and the weeks before what would become a patriarchal domination of American Dream. historic presidential election. male partners of their female counterparts in both relationships Jende Jonga and his wife, Neni, are Meanwhile, Jende is forced to confront stand too tall to ignore. two of the main characters in Imbolo problems of his own. While his wife is Mbue’s excellent debut novel, Behold in America on a student visa, he’s in Mbue does not pull punches. the Dreamers. Jende and Neni have the country waiting for his asylum Behold the Dreamers is, at times, recently immigrated to America application to be approved. But he’s hard to read — not because of from the city of Limbe in Cameroon, not really facing persecution in his her writing, which is excellent, hoping to build a better life for their home country, and he’s hoping the but because the characters keep young son, Liomi. smooth-talking immigration lawyer getting hit, over and over again, he’s hired can persuade a judge by horrible circumstances beyond They’re barely able to make ends otherwise. their control. Jende is reminded meet. Neni works as a home health that “bad news has a way of aide while attending college — she He can’t bear the thought of returning slithering into good days and dreams of one-day enrolling in to Cameroon. When he talks about making a mockery of complacent pharmacy school — while Jende America, it’s with joy, and an unwavering joys;” Neni feels “crushed” by her drives a cab. Their luck changes belief in the promise of his adopted own feelings of helplessness, when Jende finds work as a personal country. “America has something for “the fact that she had traveled chauffeur for a Lehman Brothers everyone, sir,” he enthuses to Clark. to America only to be reminded executive named Clark Edwards and “Look at Obama, sir. Who is his mother? of how powerless she was, how his family. The hours are long, but the Who is his father? They are not big unfair life could be.” salary is a massive improvement over people in the government. The man

50 • ARISE 69 MINISTRY OF HEALTH CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19 Di)

HOW CORONAVIRUS IS SPREAD: You can get infected with Coronavirus if you get in contact with an infected person’s sneeze or cough droplets

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: • Fever • Cough • Sore throat • Shortness of breath

YOU CAN PREVENT GETTING INFECTED BY: • Regularly washing your hands with water and soap • Avoiding contact with anyone with a cold or flu-like symptoms • Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue or flexed elbow • Thoroughly cooking meat and eggs • Avoiding unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals

0800 100066, 0800 203033 free SMS 8500

ARISE 69 • 51 The opinions articulated in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

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