On March 30, 2020 Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered a 14-day nationwide lockdown which began the next day.
Lockdown here is truly a lockdown, though less restrictive than neighbouring Rwanda. There has been a 7pm curfew since the beginning, but other restrictions have evolved as time has passed.
There iss a complete ban on private vehicles, with businesses and NGO’s requiring approval and special permits for their vehicles. As the lockdown has progressed I think more businesses have been approved, but not my workplace.
Like most countries, non-essential services have been suspended- yes I have lockdown hair. Thankfully I brought a few boxes of hair colour from home so I caved and used one of them 2 weeks ago, just after the last extension was announced. At least my roots look better! (Yes there is hair colour here but my experience has been that it’s a gamble whether or not the colour ON the box is the same as the colour IN the box 😑 )
They also banned bodabodas from taking passengers. They are available to do deliveries of food, groceries etc which has helped keep stores and restaurants in business.
I have been saved since the first weekend by great friends, my lovely boss and his wife. That’s a double poke at Phil – he hates being called lovely and boss hahaha! I don’t know what state of mind I would be in without Phil and Natalia.
Yeah, yeah, social distancing, isolation oh no! Well Phil and I were in the same room at work and then isolated, so we were already cross-contaminated.
I have spent every weekend with them. Not actually violating any rules either, as the three of us fit within the gathering limit of 5 people.
Within 2 days of lockdown there were two daytime robberies of muzungu (white) women on my usual walking routes. This is understandable when people live day to day and now cannot work. Obviously some of us stand out as visibly more fortunate and therefore targets. The ladies were not physically harmed but lost everything- phones, laptops, cash. As such, my work has strongly encouraged that I do not walk alone. I have complied.
For the first few weeks of lockdown our office all worked remotely. Phil would walk over with their dog Becks, pick me up and walk back with me on Saturday morning. Sunday he would walk me home. I would shop at the supermarket on the way back home, and get fruit from my fruit guy.
Several weeks back, a small group of us resumed working in the office – remember 5 is the limit. Since then, Phil picks me up each morning and walks me up to work, then back down afterwards. Making sure, of course to be home long before curfew. The exception is Friday, when I walk home with him instead.
We have had some great times. The three of is alone can be a party! And on a few occasions company has joined. For example, my day drinking birthday party on May 9th was a blast!
The worst thing for me has been the loss of freedom to ever walk anywhere alone. Don’t get me wrong, I am keenly aware of my privileged situation. I have food, water, a safe home, plenty of toilet paper, wifi etc. But still, the lack of independence is both a mental and emotional strain.
Hence today’s post inspiration. Today, May 18th, 2020, around midday, I walked from work to the supermarket and back all by my own self, just like a big girl!
It was fabulous, liberating and refreshing
I went with 3 things: my umbrella because it had just stopped raining, an empty bag for my produce, and the equivalent of about $16 Canadian secured in my bra. No purse, no phone. Can’t steal what I don’t have. I encountered no problems whatsoever, so I may do it again occasionally, taking the same precautions.
Face masks only became a requirement 2 weeks ago when the latest extension was announced. Reqiired in all public places, so even when walking outside. Nobody wore them for the first week but now most people have them. Many are worn as chin guards but compliance is rising. We are told people not wearing them will be sent home but haven’t heard from anybody who has experienced it.
Tomorrow the president will update us about another extension and/or changes to the rules. I am not speculating or holding out hope. But I am thrilled that on occasion I can stroll to the store by myself. It’s the little things, right? Stay safe and sane.
A Travelling Accountant 