This article was first published in the New Vision on November 3, 2021
By Ranell Dickson
The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the closure of learning institutions as a measure to stem the spread of the virus. On Monday, universities and other institutions of higher learning reopened. Ranell Dickson Nsereko talked to student leaders on how they are keeping COVID-19 at bay.
Shamim Nambassa, academic minister, Makerere University
The guild has been running vaccination campaigns for students. They have also set up a system to offer psychosocial peer-to-peer support to help students settle in at the university. They are also in constant engagement with management on ensuring that vaccination is done without long queues at the University Hospital.
In addition, the guild has suggested restrictive strategies such as not gaining access to some facilities if one does not have proof of at least the first jab. Many students distrust the vaccines, but the university management has neutralised the misinformation through sensitisation.
Students are also being encouraged to adhere to COVID-19 standard operating procedures.
Lambert Ayebare, education minister, Makerere University Business School
The guild has issued a directive about maintaining social distance and use of masks; with penalties for whoever does not adhere. It is also working with the administration to ensure that there is constant supply of sanitisers.
The vaccination will continue and those who are not vaccinated are directed to a health centre at the gate. The vaccination exercise is spiced with entertainment to make the process fun and relaxed
Briannah Walungama, student’s affairs minister, Victoria University
We have hand sanitisers and handwashing areas at all entry points to the facilities with security personnel to enforce adherence. We have a sick bay where vaccination is taking place for both students and the public.
As a university, we have designated areas to carry out our day to day activities as a measure to reduce congestion.
The guild is working with management to ensure that all measures are followed for the safety of the students.
Many students are hesitant to get vaccinated owing to misinformation. As the leaders, we believe ignorance is a deadlier than COVID-19, so we are carrying out campaigns to encourage students to get vaccinated. We highlight the dangers of COVID-19 and emphasize that vaccination will protect them and others from coronavirus.
Some of us have been vaccinated and, therefore, confi dently tell others about its safety and effi cacy. We are classifying those who are yet to get the jabs into two groups — those who are hesitant to take the vaccine and those against it. Those who are hesitant are most likely open to hearing information and making an educated decision. For those against vaccination, we respectfully engage them to understand their concerns and work out how best to address them.
Edgar Kagimu, guild president UMCAT, Kampala
Being a journalism school gives students access to the latest information. We, therefore, check our students behaviour in relation to the information we have about the disease and vaccination as one of the solutions. We are encouraging students to vaccinate, telling them it is not a luxury, but a lifesaver. As the guild, we are continuing to educate fellow students about COVID-19 and the importance of being vaccinated. Our concern, however, is the supply of vaccines, which affects uptake.
Judith Nansubuga, education minister, Uganda Christian University Mukono
We have created awareness among students by conducting virtual sessions about the dangers of COVID-19. Students were also sensitised about the importance of vaccination and we bust any myths about it.
As a guild committee, we have advocated vaccination centres and the exercise is ongoing. About 40% of the student population has been vaccinated. Students are also continuing to observe the standard operating procedures.
We are carrying out sensitisation drives about the benefits of vaccination. We share pictures of guild officials and administrators such as the vice-chancellor being vaccinated. This is intended to allay fears regarding the vaccines. We have also established a student-centred task force to assist students in the process of vaccination, as well as three designated vaccination centres to avoid overcrowding.
Barnabas Apoet, guild minister for academics and professional affairs, Kyambogo University
The have vaccination going on at Kyambogo Medical Centre and also have security personnel to ensure that students comply with SOPs. All the major buildings have handwashing facilities with security personnel deployed. To encourage our fellow students to go for vaccination, the guild is leading by example by receiving the COVID-19 jab and sharing information on various platforms. As vaccination goes on, we asked management to allow students to study in shifts.
Selassie Karobwa, minister of education, Mbarara University
As student leaders, we have embarked on a vaccination campaign partnering with Mbarara Hospital. The exercise started before the reporting of clinical years in August. With the support of Dr Rose Muhindo, the head of COVID-19 task force at Mbarara Hospital, the exercise continued with students that reported on Monday. The vaccination team at the hospital headed by Denis Akena has given students priority. A vaccination centre has been set up at the university clinic, where one has to present a student identity card to access the services.
A virtual survey done late September showed that about 20% of the students had been vaccinated and the number has since doubled with the setting up of two vaccination centres.
The student leadership has ensured the availability of sanitising and handwashing facilities all over the university. Some students that are highly exposed to COVID-19, for example, the medicine students, have been provided with personal protective equipment such as masks, face shields and theatre shoes.
We also encourage students who can vaccinate from health facilities near their homes to do so.
Trained personnel have been brought on board to educate students on the dos, don’ts and side effects of vaccination. In addition, sensitisation has been held at the university and other sessions held online.
A helpline has been provided where students can seek help in case of any complication. Dr Nelson Wandera, a doctor at Mbarara Hospital, has and is still providing necessary information to students about vaccination.
The university leadership started the I am Vaccinated campaign as another avenue to manage any misconceptions about vaccination. The campaign is being spearheaded by the guild president, the guild health minister and the MBUMSA president.
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