Covid-19 mitigation and policy responses in Uganda: How the application or non-application of equity principle affect students and staff of Uganda Christian University

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the world. It has made, for the first time in many years the world to face a common dreaded enemy. People across the world
joined forces to fight a battle with a known enemy but amorphous frontline. Whether weak or strong, advanced in technology or not, every nation used the same tactics to attack the enemy, namely, washing or sanitizing hands regularly with soap or hand sanitizer, not touching soft parts of the body like nose, eyes, and mouth, maintaining the social distance, avoiding crowded places, and not shaking hands. Besides, one country after another instituted lockdown where free movement is disallowed. Given that the virus does not discriminate, both old and young, rich and people around the globe became ardent observers of the laid down strategies. Since the virus struck without prior notice, many people found themselves caught unawares. As such, different countries took different steps in addressing the emergency that came about due to the storm of the Coronavirus. This paper, using desk research approach plus minimal key informant interview and questionnaire, reviewed relevant literature, policy documents and reports, so to systematically reconstruct, document, and analyse if the government of Uganda and Uganda Christian University took the principle of equity into account in policy responses and interventions during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was done to assess how the application or non-application of the same affected the staff. The data collected showed that Covid-19 pandemic indeed affected people in Uganda adversely, especially when schools were closed down.