Uganda parliamentary forum convenes meeting on Covid-19

Ms Jacqueline Amongin

What you need to know:

  • Ms Amongin added: “We will have between 20-30 participants invited for the physical meeting, observing strict social distancing guidelines while the rest of the participants will be online, via social media platforms such as Zoom, twitter, among others.”

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the world, Uganda has recorded 6,468 cases and at least 63 deaths, as of September 21, 2020 with 2,600 recoveries.

There is still no known cure of Covid-19 but health authorities continue to advise that the spread of coronavirus can be prevented if important behaviors such as physical social distancing, proper wearing of a facemask covering the mouth and nose, frequent hand washing with soap and using an alcohol-based disinfectant, are observed by the people.

Preventing its spread from person to person is critical in reducing the pandemic's impact on people’s lives, health, livelihoods and the healthcare systems we all rely on.

It’s against this background that Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Secretariat, has organized a conference on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

The conference which will be held at Hotel Africana on October 6, 2020 is aimed at continuing to sensitize the public on how to curb the spread of coronavirus and how they can cope in the post Covid era. It is supported by the WASH partners, private sector and line ministries under the theme; Exploring the Role of Wash in the Post-Covid-19 Era.

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, is expected to officiate the function.

According to Ms Jacqueline Amongin, one of the organizers, the e-conference will provide a platform to key stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, and lessons from across the continent on the challenges and opportunities around efforts to scale-up WASH especially in the post Covid-19 era.

“The provision of safe water, sanitation and hygienic conditions is essential for protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks, including Covid-19. It is therefore timely that the discussions around issues of WASH and its importance are given priority, especially as we battle Covid-19 which has no known cure or vaccine,” she said.

Ms Amongin added: “We will have between 20-30 participants invited for the physical meeting, observing strict social distancing guidelines while the rest of the participants will be online, via social media platforms such as Zoom, twitter, among others.”