The period between August to December of every two years is cherished among the Bagisu, a tribe in the Mbale sub-region, eastern Uganda. This is the time when the highly revered traditional circumcision ceremony of boys known as “Imbalu” is held.

15 February 2021 — One hundred, and forty-one (141) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 2662 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases seventeen thousand, four hundred, and eighty-four (17484). To date, fifteen thousand, one hundred, and twenty-five (15125) patients have recovered, including three hundred, and thirty-three (333) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is two thousand, one hundred, and twenty (2120) and two hundred, and thirty-nine (239) deaths. 

Addis Ababa, 16 February 2021 – The World Health Organization and Canada signed an agreement to ensure functional health services in the context of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.  Through this agreement, Canada will provide WHO a grant amounting to 9.9 million Canadian dollars to strengthen the primary health care capacity to deliver essential health services, particularly for women, girls and vulnerable populations, while maintaining an effective response to COVID-19 to avoid additional preventable sickness and death among the Ethiopian population.

Health emergencies including the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlighted weaknesses in countries’ emergency preparedness and response.  COVID-19 adversely affected socio- economic status of countries  and  had disastrous human consequences. It compelled the world to look at population health as a cause and consequence of sustainable development.

14 February 2021 — Seventy-six (76) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 4330 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases seventeen thousand, three hundred, and forty-three (17343). To date, fourteen thousand, seven hundred, and ninety-two (14792) patients have recovered, including three hundred, and fifteen (315) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is two thousand, three hundred, and twelve (2312) and two hundred, and thirty-nine (239) deaths. 

Kyabasara Primary School in Kagadi district southwestern Uganda is the epitome of a typical Ugandan rural school. A couple of brick-and-mortar buildings facing each other constitute the classes, staffroom, and office; a big compound in the middle and a latrine at the back, complete the school infrastructure.

The school, just like the rest in the country, has a big number of eager students usually in pink or green uniforms ready to imbibe knowledge from their equally eager teachers. They bustle with life, unhinged innocence, and happiness!  

Doctor Elia, a male vicenarian, breathes with ease while reciting his account to staff from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in November 2020 at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Despite being racked with pain from a piercing headache, labored breathing, a sore throat, along with high fever - all symptoms of the Coronavirus infection - Doctor Elia appears content and has a positive attitude amidst the pandemic.

13 February 2021 — Sixty-seven (67) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 4330 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases seventeen thousand, two hundred, and sixty-seven (17267). To date, fourteen thousand, four hundred, and seventy-seven (14477) patients have recovered, including five hundred, and forty (540) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is two thousand, five hundred, and fifty-four (2554) and two hundred, and thirty-six (236) deaths.