Janet defends continued schools closure

Noelyn Nassuuna | September 15, 2021

By Damali Mukhaye

The Education minister and First Lady, Ms Janet Museveni, has said the continued closure of educational institutions in the country over Covid-19 is intended to safeguard the health of youngsters who are Uganda’s future.

In a two-page statement on her official twitter handle, Ms Museveni asked parents to be patient as the government ramps up vaccination of the vulnerable groups and students aged 18 and above.

“The only reason the government has chosen to let schools remain closed could be simply to ensure that the lives of children remain safe from the danger that the Covid-19 pandemic brings to human life or to a family. Sometimes, I see the very rude insinuations you send to me in our dialogue, like, #just open schools,” she noted.

President Museveni first closed schools during the first lockdown that he imposed in March 2020, two days before Uganda registered its index Covid case.

Following months of the easing of restrictions and staggered reopening of schools, and on the eve of Primary 1-3 pupils resuming classes, the President imposed a second lockdown on June 18, 2021 amid concealed infections among students and widespread fatalities in communities.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna