CORONAVIRUS: Ugandan Students to Remain in Wuhan

A total of 105 Ugandan students in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which is stricken by the deadly Coronavirus, are to remain there until government finds a better plan to handle the disease in case it reaches the country.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Acheng told Parliament on Thursday that government doesn’t yet have the capacity to control any outbreak of the disease which has now affected 60,350 (59,800 of these are in mainland China) and killed 1,370 people.

“Does Uganda have the capacity to handle a corona virus outbreak in terms of specialized isolation facilities with specialized equipment? No. This virus is new, and spreads very fast,” said Dr. Acheng.

She added that the country is already burdened with epidemics like Ebola.

“In addition the country is overstretched with outbreaks. The Ebola threat from the DRC is still ongoing since August 2018 and there is Yellow fever in Buliisa, Moyo and Maracha. The health workforce is also very thin on the ground,” added Acheng.

The minister noted that government through the mission in Chinese capital Beijing is in touch with the students.

“Uganda has about 105 students in Wuhan city Universities. The list of the students is available with their telephone contacts. 65 are known Government sponsored students while 40 are on private sponsorship. Our Mission in Beijing is in contact with these students on a daily basis,” noted Acheng.

The officer designated to be in touch with the students is Amb. Philip Kanyoonzi (+8613521523463). The Ministry of Foreign affairs in Uganda is also said to be in touch with the next of kin of these students.

“No Ugandan student in Wuhan has yet contracted the disease,” she said.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda has reportedly assured government that his government will do all it takes to ensure that the Ugandan students are well taken care of.

Students are said to be in the University halls of residence and are being provided food by the universities while those outside the universities have to procure their own food.

Government is in the process of sending money to the students trapped in Wuhan.

The Ministry of Foreign affairs is in the process of wiring $61,800 (228m) to support the students in the interim as more evaluation of the situation takes place. Funds can be sent directly to the students through a payway system to their telephones.