Giving Stories Blog

At the dawn of the coronavirus-induced lock down in Uganda, almost every group physical activity went virtual. Education was one such thing; schools committed to giving assignments throughout the lock down and parents were encouraged to help their children at home said assignments. More

In Bunyole sub-region, the name Patrick Waisana is celebrated especially among people battling Tuberclosis and HIV/AIDS. So when the coronavirus led to a paralysis in movement, it was not news that Waisana would swoop in to save the day. More

When a man only identified as Isma spoke of the rumour that a certain musician had donated food to muslims in Mbale, they didn’t expect it to be singer Daddy Andre. True, the Tonelabira singer had indeed donated specifically to the fasting Muslim community in the Eastern district of Mbale. More

A philanthropist in Teso called Philip Oucor has come to the rescue of the people of Serere district in Teso sub-region. Besides the lockdown brought about by COVID-19, Teso sub-region might soon be staring famine in the face as a result of the delay in the planting season brought about by the locust invasion. But also, just as they thought it might be wise to start planting again, the waters of Lake Kyoga are rising. In fact, experts warn that this will soon see districts like Serere located on the shores of the lake, flooding. More

Remember the nurse in Arua who wheeled a patient in dire need of advanced care to the district hospital kilometers away? Only recently both the health Minister and Permanent Secretary celebrated her.

“During my visit to Arua District today, I had the opportunity to visit one of my very own heroic health workers, Sr. Doris Okudinia, a nurse at Ediofe Health Centre III in Arua District,” Dr. Acheng said. “She wheeled a patient for over 3km to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for treatment. Her selflessness is heartwarming.” More

They had initially thought they would be coming together to see how West Nile can be put on the national electricity grid, the coronavirus happened. So today, a group called Voice of West Nile has decided that they will instead try to make sure the region’s vulnerable poor don’t starve to death. First, they put out a message on Facebook, asking group members to contribute, but soon they realized that this was bigger than them, as well-wishers joined the cause. More

Picture this, a single dad with a severe case of diabetes that has since led to the amputation of his foot. Yeah? Now imagine a world where such a father, despite his efforts, can’t earn a living to provide for his three children. See, unlike the other market vendors who walk for miles to the market, he couldn’t go to work because any and all public means had been ordered off the road in line with the lock down. More

Nicholas Opiyo Ogweng, a 13 year old boy from Gulu district left the district Covid19 task force awed. It wasn’t just that the young man donated Shs50.000 that left many impressed, it was the fact that he had spent time laying bricks so he could donate the money. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, it was reported that teenager, Ogweng, an orphan, walked from Uyama Sub-county, about 10 km from Gulu town to bring the money. more

During the latest of his now routine televised address of the nation, the President said that he would commit half of his monthly salary to covid19 battle in Uganda. Daily mornitor, a Ugandan local daily reported thusly:

President Museveni Tuesday said he would commit part of his Shs3.6 million monthly salary to the fight against further spread of coronavirus in Uganda. More

Today, I found myself deep in thought. I couldn’t have turned out any different, I am a giver, it’s embroidered in me. So, I caught myself wondering how would I survive if I didn’t give. Just how? See, growing up, our home was a tale of giving; both my dear parents, (May their souls continue to rest in joy), were givers. Umm! More

Koona dance, an urban youth Luganda and English word play meant to cheer on dancers. But in these dire times of the coronavirus in Uganda, koona dance has become a dance movement of sorts to keep many sane and fit. The young man behind it, Okumu Felix Wamala decided to give back during the lock down. On his the social media pages; Facebook, Koona dance workout Uganda and Instagram koonadanceworkout, he urges all and sundry to keep fit. More

The amount of giving in Uganda that has happened during this coronavirus pandemic is nothing short of amazing! It has been both cash and in kind; true, Ugandans and or companies operating within Uganda have given. At CivSource Africa, we shall try as much as possible to compile all the giving that has been happening here. More

A disturbing video from Omoro district made its way onto Ugandan social media space. It was a grandmother, Mego Lucy Anek, mercilessly battered by her grandson. He beat her till she dropped on her knees begging to be forgiven. Her plea fell on barren ground, as the young man carried on, he beat her till she somehow managed to stagger into mundanely thatched semi-permanent hut. More

The Daily monitor, one of the local dailies in Uganda, describes her as a change agent. Verbatim: Dr. Olive Kobusingye is a consultant trauma surgeon, emergency surgeon, accident injury epidemiologist, academic and author. Her desire is to see change in Uganda’s health sector and she authored books to this effect. She currently serves as a senior research fellow at Makerere University School of Public Health. More

A post by a Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, Soroti regional office coordinator, caught our eye. Martha Ajilong was first seen making a plea to the public to date blood, and do it urgently. But in the wake of coronavirus and the fact that schools and churches are closed, the response was not as good. In fact, it was mostly hospital staff of the Soroti Regional Hospital who showed up. More

At 76 years of age, Joyce Kaffoko refuses to sit and watch the vulnerable starve. Through her Joyce Kaffoko Foundation therefore, she has decided to give a food contribution to the people of Isingiro district. The Joyce Kaffoko Foundation is a new Non-Governmental Organization, with operations mainly in the districts of Isingiro and Mbarara. More

When the directive to stop and any and all public means was passed, people living with HIV that needed their life-saving drugs refilled were forgotten. In the beginning, they tried to take motorcycles but many were whipped off the bikes and left nursing bruises. When they tried to send just the boda-boda riders to collect their drugs, news of their status spread like a wildfire. The stigma in this Busabala suburb went high and a young man, Hillary Nuwamanya swooped in. More

In the face of the borderless coronavirus, an award-winning Ugandan photo journalist did better. Besides just delivering heart-gripping pictures of women vendors whipped by the Local Defense Unit (LDU) in a bid to enforce a lockdown, The Daily Monitor’s Alex Esagala led a fundraising for said women on his personal page. He implored his followers to help these women, also single mothers with a measly income, afford to stay home. More

A song by celebrated singer/songwriter, Racheal Magoola is making waves. The song about coronavirus, written in Lusoga, an Eastern Uganda local dialect, starts with a plea to friends and family to please stay home. “Stay home and save your children,” she educates in song. “Corona doesn’t have shoes or a human calf, when you move you’re the one that distributes it.”

I have been the recipient of kindness during this lockdown. Although it has come in different forms, it touched and humbled me in many ways. Ultimately though, it is teaching me lessons along the way on our shared humanity. The people responsible have inspired me to share what I have to ease the pain of others who are struggling during these difficult times. More