'POLITICAL ACTIVITIES COULD BE OF GREATER RISK THAN PLACES OF WORSHIP WHEN IT COMES TO SPREAD OF COVID-19'

Editorial: 

Great thanks to the government, health workers and fellow Ugandans for the struggles and sacrifices we are making in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

However, I remain not convinced about the government's decision to let political activities go on the way they are doing but keep silent on the proposals to reopen places of worship and schools with safety guidelines.

I want to centre my argument today on the proposal to reopen places of worship because it looks already late with schools.

The Ministry of Health has always instructed us to keep a social distance, wash our hands and wear face masks while in public. However, there is no doubt that none of these was even thought about during campaigns for NRM Primaries. During the lineup elections of NRM that were held nationwide, water and soap were provided but their impact remains questionable given the condition in which they were used and trusted as the control measure to the spread of the virus. How does washing hands prevent me from picking Corona virus from the person I am lining behind or in front of with a close distance less than a foot and without any other protective instrument? At most polling stations (including mine), many people washed their hands but all squeezed in lines, just a few with masks on and none with covered hands. Should we say COVID-19 does not spread through political events? What difference is there, regarding spread of Corona virus, between gathering for worship and gathering for politics? Is it not gathering and congesting that aids spread of the virus? And in any case, which one is easier to control, campaign events or worship events? It is not justice at all, stopping people from meeting to discuss their Godliness and at the same time encouraging them to meet and discuss their politics. We must not forget the role of religious gatherings! Domestic violence is ruining the country, children are getting engaged in sexual acts, very young girls are getting married, child labour is becoming uncontrollable, families are breaking up, people are killing one another, land conflicts are increasing and this time with worse effects, assault is everywhere and several other immoral and inhuman deeds are rising and spreading everywhere! Ask why? People lack the counselling, spiritual guidance and inspiration they always got from their spiritual leaders. There are lots of things that cannot by any means go right unless people meet and discuss their Godliness.

Almost all religious leaders have on several occasions requested for reopening of places of worship and vowed to put into practice the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health regarding safe gathering during the COVID-19 Season.

Is it not much easier to limit the congregation size and their sitting organisation than doing the same for a political campaign gathering? I don't say we must forget about the virus and reopen churches and mosques but if the ongoing political activities in Uganda are considered healthy, then all places of worship should be reopened because they are far risk-free and requisite compared to the ongoing political events. We are a country of God and we cannot look down on Godly requirements while promoting the earthly ones. That is my submission. Thank you.

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Religious leaders have said they are ready for the reopening of worship places. They asked the Government to consider reopening them immediately -New Vision