The mining sites of Kajuna, Kasaka and Butenzi in Buwunga sub county, Masaka district have lately registered an increase in the number of children involved in both artisan sand and clay extraction, and bricks laying as a source of survival.
Micheal Matherere, a primary seven science teacher we found clearing a community road at Ttakajunge in Nama Sub County, together with five others, told URN that he has been involved in all kinds of work to support his family since the lockdown because his employer stopped remitting salaries during the same month that the schools were closed.
One of them is Robinah Musiime, a single mother of five who lost her husband two years ago. She sold off the family land in Kitholu for a commercial one in Kanyangeya to start farming. But her three-bedroomed house was recently submerged, and her garden, the single source of good washed away by floods.
They are suggesting that the first phase of the reopening should be around the end of August for 21 days accommodating adult and youth congregants, from the age of 12. The first reopening should start with urban areas before spreading to the countryside, according to proposals that were presented to the National COVID-19 Task Force.
