Scientists ask Museveni to delay reopening of economy

This, they say, is to avoid risks of increased infections from the Covid-19 variant Omicron.

The president met Uganda’s Covid-19 task force, which is led by Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, on Monday at his country home in Rwakitura.

Their meeting consisted of the task force presenting a status report on the Covid-19 situation in the country as a preface to discussions regarding the full reopening of the economy in January.

Dr. Monica Musenero, a member of the taskforce and the Minister for Science and Technology, told us that she was not in any position to divulge information at the moment.

However, sources from within the meeting told us that the scientists advised the president against reopening of the economy in January.

The scientists prefer a delay until more citizens are fully vaccinated.

“The scientists and some members of the Covid taskforce are concerned about the spread of the Omicron variant and so they insisted to the president that delaying the reopening for more weeks is the best way to go. This way, more people will be vaccinated before the economy can fully reopen and we stay safe,” said our source.

The Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, last week revealed that only 3.4 million Ugandans, which is 15% of the targeted 22 million people due to be vaccinated, have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Only 9.1million, she said, have received their first jab. This, she noted, is only 44% of those targeted for vaccination.

This shortfall, the scientists say, necessitates a delay in reopening the economy to allow a sizeable number of Ugandans to get fully vaccinated.

President Museveni is due to address the nation on Friday at 8:00 pm, and many will be anxious to hear what he has to say regarding reopening of the economy.