By Stephen Bwire
The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the most of people’s potential, capabilities, industriousness, sacrifice and among other attributes in the combat of the disease. The world has made a verdict of who stands out in the struggle to save mankind. Professionals including nurses, doctors and other health workers come first on the frontline. Scientists and researchers working around the clock to come up with a vaccine and cure are equally crucial as the whole world hangs on anxiously to any flicker of good news in this regard.
From the time the outbreak of the pandemic was declared, strong strategic leadership is one fundamental feature that continues to determine the success or failure of the battle against COVID-19.
In this case, we cast a spotlight on the political and technical leadership rallying the forces on the battlefront. And in Uganda, we celebrate the personalities who have cast their boots on the frontline with utmost sacrifice, dedication, selflessness and patriotism, in no order of preference.
- H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: President Yoweri Museveni has been steadfast and unwavering in his policy directives that have ensured that no life so far is lost in this battle. Even before Uganda could register any COVID-19 case, the President had announced a raft of stringent anti-COVID-19 measures popularly called “presidential Directives” which have so far saved Ugandans from death and significantly kept the number of infections low. This is the time Museveni has demonstrated his leadership acumen; having to ingeniously explain to the populations why certain measures have had to be undertaken- in the process winning over the hearts and minds of the people.
The international community and other leaders have hailed Museveni for his uncompromising leadership genius as compared to other regional leaders where rates of infection and deaths from COVID-19 is alarming. The President also demonstrated his statesmanship when he decided to donate almost half of his salary (Shs 1.4m) a month towards the National COVID-19 Taskforce. This was shortly after castigating the members of parliament for allotting themselves Shs20million each, labeling it “evil money”, and ordered them to return the cash to the Consolidated Fund or hand it over to the District Taskforces. Museveni has been at the forefront of guiding the masses through his regular widely televised addresses- by the time of compiling this article, he had done 13 televised addresses plus a number of social media engagements. Ugandans will remember Museveni as the man who led them triumphantly all through the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Dr Jane-Ruth Aceng: She is the Minister for Health, having been appointed to the position in 2016. She also served as Director General of Health Services before her elevation to cabinet. Dr Aceng holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine (MBchB), MMED (Pediatrics), Masters in Public Health and a Diploma in Health System Strengthening. She is a Pediatrician expert and is currently at the level of Senior Consultant Pediatrics. She is also a Public Health expert. She has vast experience both as a manager and practicing medical personnel, which she has accumulated while serving in various capacities.
Dr Aceng has demonstrated her technical competence and experience in leading health professionals in the fight against COVID-19, a job she has and continues to accomplish with relish, commitment, sacrifice, honesty and astuteness. She is incorruptible: as other political leaders and government officials are being mentioned in COVID-19 corruption-related scandals, Dr Aceng has been praised by the public for being uncompromising on her job. She exudes knowledge, confidence and hope whenever she speaks to the populations assuring them of their safety.
- Peter Ogwang: He is the minister of state for Information, Communications and National Guidance as well as Member of Parliament representing Usuk County. He shot to political limelight when he contested for Youth Member of Parliament representing Eastern Uganda. Before joining politics, he worked at the Uganda Media Centre and State House Youth Desk. He is one of the blue-eyed boys of President Museveni having been among the chief architects of the removal of presidential age limits from the Constitution, to pave way for President Museveni to stand again in 2021 after hitting 75 years.
Peter Ogwang is a member of the COVID-19 National Taskforce coordinating Makindye Division in the distribution of relief food. He has exhibited his leadership credentials given the way he would go about his job ensuring that every homestead in Makindye gets food on time. The residents of Makindye Division are excited about the youthful minister who has been captured on media sharing a meal with locals and taskforce members. There are suggestions that basing on his success in Makindye, Ogwang should be transferred to other areas where the food distribution has proved slow.
- Dr Ruhakana Rugunda: He is the Prime Minister of Uganda. Dr Rugunda is the overall political supervisor of the National COVID-19 Taskforce. He is credited for his stellar oversight in ensuring efficient management and accountability of the relief food and items including cash donations from the public. When queries starting emerging about the quality of food from some contracted suppliers and issues to do with impropriety of procurement processes by some of his top technocrats in relation to COVID food, Dr Rugunda took decisive action and caused the named officials to stand accountable for their actions. His charming style has warmed up the hearts of Ugandans and other stakeholders to contribute generously towards the National Taskforce.
- Janet Kataha Museveni: She is the Minister for Education and First Lady. When the President ordered schools and all education institutions in the country closed, Mama Janet didn’t sit idly looking by. Together with her technical team at the Education ministry, she came up with innovations that have ensured that school children and students continue with the process of learning from home through online systems, TVs and Radios as well as disseminating learning materials to all homes across the country so that pupils and students don’t lose out. Together with her technical team, Mama Janet is exploring the possibilities of university students being examined online.
- Judith Nabakooba: She is the Minister for Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance. She is also woman MP for Mityana District. Before joining parliament, Nabakooba was a senior police officer serving as the Force’s spokeswoman. She is the official spokesperson for the National COVID-19 Taskforce, and so far she is doing an excellent job coordinating all the information and communication mechanisms under a centralized functionality. She is a regular at the Uganda Media Centre where she would communicate to Ugandans the various policy directives from Government in respect to COVID-19. Her ministry is coordinating a national anti-COVID campaign through media.
- Gen Edward Katumba Wamala: He is the minister for works and transport and a member of the National Taskforce. Before joining cabinet, Gen Katumba Wamala served at the helm of the military as Chief of Defence Forces. He is also the first serving military officer to head the Police Force. Gen Katumba has been instrumental in coordinating transport for all people involved in the COVID fight. He came up with the idea of availing stickers to all vehicles in Kampala and Metropolitan. He has been tasked by President Museveni to quickly revamp the railway network to facilitate the huge movement of goods, an alternative to the cross-border truck drivers who are reported to be escalating the spread of the coronavirus.
- Amelia Kyambadde: She is the Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Before joining politics and cabinet, Amelia Kyambadde served as President Museveni’s Principal Private Secretary (PPS) for a very long time. She has held the Trade docket for close to 10 years where she has endeared herself to the traders and business community owing to the style and fashion with which she would address their interests. When the President declared a lockdown, a number of people who were operating businesses were adversely affected. Even in this lockdown, Amelia Kyambadde has been seen to push for the interests of the business community, and at times having a confrontation with her boss, the President.
