Veteran journalist and media investor Andrew Mwenda lost his nephew, Chris Ibaale, to COVID-19 yesterday afternoon.
Mwenda, the founder and owner of Independent Publications, yesterday tweeted: “This afternoon our family has been struck once again by unparalleled tragedy! Our nephew, Chris Ibaale, son to our eldest sister, Olive K. Muhanga, succumbed to COVID-19. We shall be announcing burial and funeral service arrangements later. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Mwenda added: “Chris is slightly older than me and we grew up together almost as twins. Many people think he is one of our siblings. An incredibly smart lawyer, Chris loved life and lived it to the fullest.”
He also warned Ugandans thus: “For many Ugandans playing with #COVID19 this is an important lesson to try and avoid it.”
On July 23, Uganda recorded its first COVID-19-related death; a 34-year-old female health worker from Namisindwa district.
The Director-General Health Services, Henry Mwebesa, declared her Uganda’s first COVID-19 death. This was four months after COVID-19 broke out in the country.
By November 1, the health ministry tally of coronavirus deaths stood at 114.
The ministry has warned that the worst is yet to come, with an increase in community infections. The country’s cumulative confirmed cases are now 12,971.
Experts and other leaders fear the situation may spiral out of control after the complacency exhibited during the election season.
Shortly after his nomination on Monday, President Yoweri Museveni reminded Ugandans not to give up in the fight against COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is deadly and is killing our people. In recent days, among others, we lost an environment expert, Paul Mafabi, and my good friend, Francis Xavier Kitaka, the veterinary expert and entrepreneur,” Museveni said.
“Do not take this disease lightly. The talk that the villages are insulated from COVID-19 is false. Please follow all guidelines of health experts. Sanitize, wear masks and observe social distancing,” he added.