Africa-Press – Uganda. #UGDecides2021|PARLIAMENT|SOPs
KYOTERA – Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, the State Minister for Microfinance, defied COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and held a massive rally at Kalisizo playground.The organisers transported people from different sub-counties on Fuso trucks and filled the playground.At the rally, majority of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters, did not observe the Standard Operation Procedure (SOPs). Surprisingly, neither the police nor army was present to enforce the standard guidelines.The minister’s massive rally comes at a time when the virus transmission has reached stage four where it is difficult to identify the sick and trace their contacts.However, Kasolo, also the incumbent for Kyotera Constituency says he was provoked by opposition candidates who held several rallies that attracted crowds without police interference.He explained that the opposition candidates’ freedom to hold rallies without police interference looked as though the NRM party had lost its might.”We tried to observe the health guidelines for some time, but it was too much. We looked weak as a party and I deliberately decided to throw one as proof that we still existed and powerful,” Kasolo told his supporters.
He added that they are to hold similar rallies in Lwankoni, Kabira, and Nabigasa to redeem the party’s glory.The minister also pledged to build more schools in different communities, a campaign to promote education in the district, adding that he will support youth groups, pastoralists, and farmers through loan schemes for which they will pay when they harvest or when make profits.Health officialsEdward Muwanga, the Kyotera District Health Officer (DHO) declined to comment on the matter when contacted about the risk of holding huge crowds at a time when community infections are rising in the district.But the other health officials, who preferred anonymity said they have always complained about the crowds and nothing was done by the security officials.They also blamed the police for failing to act responsibly when politicians are holding crowds without adhering to the ministry’s guidelines.Police decline to commentJudith Akello, the District Police Commander, declined to comment on why they allowed a huge crowd without enforcing the SOPs and referred us to Muhammad Nsubuga, the Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, whose known mobile numbers were out of reach.
