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Uganda registered 701 new cases of COVID-19—its highest-ever daily increase—on 7 December. In response, the president urged the public to strictly follow preventive measures, including wearing masks, washing hands with soap and water, sanitising and maintaining social distance. A national newspaper, the Daily Monitor, reported on 8 December that hospitals across the country were running out of space. Medical professionals are concerned about the possibility of a malaria outbreak alongside the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Thank you for praying for children and families in Uganda who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
The lockdown restrictions in Uganda to prevent the spread of COVID-19 saw Obbo lose his job as a cook in a school. “I tried to look for work. However, the rich who can hire fear COVID-19 and wouldn’t hire me,” says Obbo. “The rich are fearful of COVID-19; the poor fear hunger.” Read more open_in_new
The situation
Kampala, Uganda is now calm and business has returned to normal.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 0
New information
Fortunately, no local church partners or children were directly affected
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the safety of children, families, church partners and staff.
The situation
A presidential candidate was arrested yesterday, which triggered unrest and protests in Eastern Uganda. Three people died in the clashes with police. The peak of the chaos was reported in Kampala City and the outskirts. The election is scheduled to take place in January 2021. Many fear that the unrest may continue until the elections.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 0
New information
Fortunately, no local church partners, children or staff have been directly impacted by the unrest. They are taking precautions and monitoring the situation, as well as limiting movement in the impacted areas.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety of children, families, church partners and staff in Uganda.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, most child development centres in Uganda are temporarily closed. Our local church partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Uganda typically attend program activities at their local child development centre on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Uganda.
9:00am - A time of prayer and devotion.
9:30am - Spiritual lessons, in which children sing songs and learn Bible stories.
10:30am - Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships. They are usually provided with a nutritional snack, such as tea, porridge and a bun.
11:00am - Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem and a godly character. Children are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm - Lunch time where the meal often consists of maize, rice or plantains with beans, peas or beef.
1:00pm - Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene tips. Example topics include how to prevent malaria and HIV transmission.
2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
Students can elect vocational training skills, such as carpentry, tailoring, and mat making. Parents are also offered monthly classes on adult literacy and quarterly training on topics such as hygiene, parenting and income generation activities.
of people live below the poverty line
mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births
of people lack access to improved sanitation
Uganda has been free from colonial occupation for more than 50 years. That time has not been easy, yet the nation is slowly climbing out of the mire of political feuds, protracted conflict, and longstanding problems of corruption. It is now known as one of the strongest African economies and a place where poverty is on the retreat.
Many locals continue to deal with the aftermath of the brutal two-decade long civil war which terrorised the country’s north.
The war, between rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, and government forces, remains Africa’s longest-running armed conflict. During their 26-year reign of terror, the LRA abducted more than 30,000 children, forcing them to become soldiers, weapon carriers, and sex slaves.
Since the LRA was pushed out of Uganda—and into neighbouring countries—in 2006, the majority of the 1.8 million people displaced by their violence have returned home or resettled. However, a generation of young people is scarred by the war. The process of rehabilitating displaced or traumatised children, women and men and reintegrating them back into society is made even more difficult by a lack of resources.
Despite the nation’s progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the last two decades, HIV continues to disproportionately affect adolescents, especially girls. Access to medical treatment is improving but is still a struggle for many, especially in rural areas.
President Yoweri Museveni has now led for more than 30 years, having first come to power in 1986 when he led the National Resistance Army in a guerrilla war against then-President Milton Obote. He is eligible to stand again in 2021, although his success or otherwise will probably depend on the growth of the nation—including his efforts to lift more Ugandans out of poverty.
Meanwhile, local churches are hard at work, reaching out to the poorest children and their families and sharing a hope more powerful than poverty.
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