Since government instituted what is called the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that imposed restricted public gatherings, compulsory quarantine and testing for suspected cases, ban on public transport and strict observance of hygiene through regular hand washing since March 21, 2020 when the first Covid-19 case was reported, people experienced challenges ranging from economic operation and social wellbeing.

To contribute to the national effort to curb further spread of the virus, provide social assistance and meaningful life, the Caritas fraternity in Uganda responded by reaching out to at least 1, 231,400 most in need people who included Ugandans as well as refugees and asylum seekers as well.

The Caritas support was in form of household utilities, food, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), sanitary materials, cash to Special Interest People such as expectant mothers to access antenatal services and older persons, channelled through the dioceses.

Caritas Gulu Archdiocese provided support to the districts’ taskforce with fuel, sensitization campaign through radio talk shows, provision of hygiene materials, detergents, water containers and basins and sanitizers, and case management for people under quarantine.

The office also supported government in training surveillance teams to track contacts, health workers in preparation for death management. It offered 2 vehicles with full time drivers for surveillance, hence benefiting a total of 200,000 people.

The assistance was extended to 4,000 refugees in Pagirinya settlement where Caritas distributed hygiene materials which included bars of soap, hand washing stations, masks, and hand sanitizers for refugee leaders and community resource persons.

In Kasana Luweero, Caritas benefited homes, over 7,800 orphans and 25 health facilities which received protective gear and training of 50 health workers who reach out to 500 villages with preventive information while Masaka Diocese Development Organisation (MADDO) purchased and distributed hand washing facilities, soap and food for Islanders affected by Covid-19 lockdown and flooding and provided transport to pregnant mothers to access maternal care, reaching out to a total of 3,245 people.

Caritas Kampala distributed sanitary materials and face masks to 69 parishes including child and youth caring homes, helping at least 196,712 people; Caritas Nebbi supported a total of 5115 people in Zombo and Packwach districts; and Caritas Tororo helped over 6,411 people by providing training, providing hand washing equipment and promote awareness through radio.

Caritas Fort Portal which covers districts where farming is the main economic activity ensured that farmers are reached out with sensitization and hygiene materials supported at least 5800 individuals in number; Caritas Hoima which operates in an area identified as one of the hot spots for Covid-19 within sensitized communities through the village health teams, district task team and radio, reaching out to at least 8000 people; and Caritas Kasese which works in the boarder districts of Uganda wand DR. Congo also concentrated on sensitization of the people through radio and IEC materials to ensure that the community is made aware and understands the pandemic.

The national office (Caritas Uganda) which launched a response plan in three dioceses, (Kasese, Nebbi and Gulu) together with Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, delivered Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to health facilities in high risk districts, provided sanitation facilities to vulnerable households, and undertook awareness campaign in a number of localities.

The initiative is supported by Caritas Denmark but developed in consultation with the CIMOs in Uganda. The Bishops, through the Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa, have credited the benefactors for the support, calling for continued spirit of brotherhood as Covid-19 continues to impact the lives of the people.