Uganda, Kampala, Edwin, Ugandan, 26, Graduate in population studies, Demographer and Climate Activist, Not married/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country?
Currently in Uganda we are experiencing a drastic drift in the changes of weather patterns like prolonged drought in the northern part of the counrty which make it hard for the people in the northern region to carry out agriculture because the soil texture doesn’t favor it, in the central part especially near the shorees of lake victoria there has been a rise in the water levels which have resulted into flooding of the houses near the shores and also destroying their properties & theres is a lot of deforestation especially on the native forests like Mabira forest and Bugoma forest so that the investors plant moncrrops which don´t even help in the carbon sink. In the eastern part we have experienced landslides which are caused due to the rains that go on for days that make the soils so soft hence resulting into lose of lives, washing away of peoples farms thus resulting into forceful migration for a much safer place & locust inevasion destroyed peoples crops, in the western part especialy in kasese they have been experiencing floods which have greatly affected the livelihoods interms of health, sanitation and also the wellbeing since thousands of people have lost their lives.
How did the atmosphere in your country change since the pandemic started?
During the pandemic started 2020 everything was on stand till school closed, curfew time of 7pm everyone is supposed to be home by that time in the whole country, no public transport usuage, people who work in markets would work in shifts and some of them would stay at their work places, but during the late 2021 they eased resstrictions in that public transport means would carry half the number of passengers, people adapted to wearing masks, people went for the Covid19 vaccination. I think ever since the pandemic started everyone has adopted to washing hands and also wearing masks and all the SOPs.
How are you and your family?
Am doing fine and everyone is okay and the first born of five kids in our home in kireka.
What is the biggest challenge for you during the crisis?
It was getting something to eat during the pandemic period since most of the means of transport to the places my parents worked at were closed so it was really hard for them to get for us something to eat.
The biggest challenge was getting something to eat during the crisis.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
When the president of our country put up the lockdown on all things in Uganda and also people who were dying all over the news.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
The government opted to lockdown and then later on mandatory Covid19 vaccination and following the SOPs and closing all the public places like markets.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
It was good but at the same time it was bad because people were in their homes with nothing to eat and also kids not studying for over two years now.
What would you like to say to your government?
Provide relief to the people who were suffering because of the pandemic
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
Our president he would address everyone after 2 weeks ever since the Covid19 pandemic started, but he would keep on extending the lockdown till late 2021.
The government should provide relief to the people who were suffering because of the pandemic.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes, it was an uncle to my friend, but we didn´t even make it to the burial since they had closed the means of transport and also the president of country said that its only health officers who can bury a person who died from Covid19.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes I have done a Covid19 test and full vaccination, but never been quarantined before because am negative.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Yes.
We couldn´t go to the burial because they closed the public transport.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
For about two years.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I spent it with family and in the lockdown I learned to follow the news worldwide and also doing research about stuff online.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed seeing my friends.
During the lockdown I learned to follow the news worldwide.
Changes
How did your work situation change since the pandemic started (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I am unemployed even though am a graduate in Bachelors degree in population studies.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
We adapted to the social media interaction with friends through zoom and whatsapp calls.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
BAD.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Wearing a mask and washing my hands especially in public spaces.
I am unemployed due to the crisis.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Our ministry of health in Uganda.
What did the crisis show you?
It taught me a new way of living online even though the internet is costly.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
It gave me time to learn new things and also get enough time to spend with my parents.
Which images will you never forget?
The disheartening headlines about the Covid19 cases increasing and people dying.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
A market lady who slept in the markert place – her place of work – without a net for the full lockdown.
I´ll never forget the disheartening headlines about the Covid19 cases increasing.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
I am afraid what the world will be if the people in power don´t take action on the climate crisis.
What gives you hope?
We have these policies and we have the young people demanding for change from the people in power.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Not really.
Would you get yourself vaccinated or have you already been vaccinated against COVID-19?
I am fully vaccinated.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
The people in power have to plan for such events before they happen.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
LET’S TREAT A CRISIS LIKE A CRISIS.
The people in power have to plan for such events before they happen.