As Ugandans mourn the death of Second Deputy Prime Minister Alhaji Kirunda Kivejinja the public has been warned against laxity in adhering to COVID-19 Standard operating procedures-SOPs set by the Health Ministry.
Hon Kivejinja succumbed to COVID-19 in Mulago national hospital intensive care unit-ICU on Saturday where he has been for a period of over a month.
During the national prayer held on Sunday at old Kampala mosque, President Yoweri Museveni in his speech read by Prime Minister Ruhakana Ruganda, the president warned the members of the public to be careful noting that the virus is spreading quickly within the communities.
Museveni some section of the population had deliberately refused to adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines. He said they have been telling people that this Covid-19 is a killer but people have been joking.
He also mentioned names of some of the legislators who had passed on like Kyotera Woman Member of Parliament Robina Ssentongo who passed away on Saturday morning, Masaka District Woman Member of Parliament contestant Freda Mubanda Kasse who died on Wednesday at the age of 76 in Kenya among others.
The President said that the country is now losing people unnecessarily and urged Ugandans to be on the lookout.
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda also told mourners in his speech that Uganda has now reached an intense stage of the disease; therefore, it is the role of everyone to be responsible and know that if they fail to protect themselves, they will be moving with the death.
According to the prime minister, Ugandans have witnessed big people in the country dying, so this should be proof enough to believe that the virus is dangerous, not only to the old generation but also to the young generation.
He further cautioned Ugandans, saying that everyone should know that Covid-19 kills and also citizens have the ability to prevent it by putting all the SOPs in consideration to avoid further deaths.
The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ramadan Shaban Mubajje says, God has already shown Ugandans that Covid-19 is for everyone and it is the role of everyone to take the responsibility and protect their lives. Mubajje adds that, in their umbrella (Uganda religious council) as religious leaders, they have sensitized the public especially those who go for religious rituals. However, some Ugandans remain adamant.
Kigundu Kabandwa Salongo the national administrative Secretary of the National Resistance Movement NRM historical leaders’ forum, a forum that Kivejinja has been representing in the government says Ugandans should know that where we have reached, if you contract the virus, the government no longer pays more attention like at first because the numbers of people getting the virus is overwhelming the COVID-19 centers.
Second Deputy Prime Minister Alhaji Kirunda Kivejinja was born on June 12, 1935 and he died at the age of 85.
