Amuru District Task Force has with immediate effect banned music systems and feeding of mourners at funerals as one of the measures to curb the spread of global Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
The authorities say when music systems are used at funerals, mourners end up dancing uncontrollably while feeding them encourages violation of the Standard Operating Procedures like wearing masks and social distancing.
The Task Force has also issued express directives to all households in the district to arrange for the immediate burial of their loved ones who have succumbed to the plague to avoid crowding of mourners.
Dr. Patrick Odong Olwedo, the Amuru District Health Officer – DHO who also doubles as the Secretary to the Task Force says that although the district hasn’t recorded many cases of community infections; the resolution is aimed at flattening the epidemiological curve of the contagion.
According to the Task Force Chairperson, Geoffrey Oceng Osborn, who also doubles as the Resident District Commissioner – RDC, mourners always become uncontrollable during meals thus increasing risks of infection.
In June 2020, Amuru lost a health worker to the pandemic while several others were diagnosed and referred to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, local leaders in Serere district have resolved that none of their Members of Parliament should visit their constituencies until the 42-days lockdown imposed by President Yoweri Museveni is lifted.
Julius Odeng Ochana, the former Bugondo Sub County Chairperson, says that the presence of MPs in the constituency draws people to concentrate in one place, which violates the SOPs thus exposing both the MPs and residents to infection.
Helen Adoa, the Serere Woman MP who doubles as the State Minister for Fisheries urged her voters to remain patient as the move is intended to save both parties.
The MPs have been a source of support to the electorate especially during death and other difficult or joyous moments. Overall, according to available statistics from the Ministry of Health, Uganda has registered a record 2,012 death cases from 84,979 confirmed cases of the virus across the country. Over 1,700 of the deaths reported occurred in the months of May, June and early July.