I have followed government’s response to the nodding diseases crisis in Northern Uganda for a while now and I must state that it is not impressive. Despite the efforts by Ministry of Health to locate funds for programs to support the families, the impact of this disease on children in Northern Uganda aged 15 years and below is overwhelming. Unfortunately, there is no much political will from the central government to address this health hazard leading to resource strains within MOH.
Here we have 3,000 children affected with this strange disease with many more gradually developing signs and symptoms and the President of the Republic of Uganda is not bothered or concerned at all. In the last couple of weeks, the President has summoned NRM Caucuses and Cabinet meetings more than ten times, but in each meeting, saving the neck of his Ministers infected with incurable disease of corruption has filled the agenda – not the nodding disease. Where is the patriotism and compassion?
In his recent public appearances, or addresses to the Nation, President Museveni has not mentioned the nodding disease and the plight of those affected children for once. This form of indifference to Northern Uganda from the centers of power is nothing new, but to ignore this nodding disease and those children is actually very strange and telling.
You may wonder why it is very important for Mr Museveni to mention nodding disease and pay attention to it. In Uganda, unless the President speaks about something, nothing actually gets done. His continued silence appears to be a conspiracy against these children who are in dire need of immediate assistance. The President must place orders for serious resource mobilization to make funding and services available for the children and their devastated families.
This is a direct appeal to the President to bring his much required attention to fighting nodding disease in Northern Uganda. Mr. President, 3,000 children are enduring horrible health conditions that have left their families in utter shock requiring lots of psychosocial and welfare support. The entire future of Acholi is at stake and if that really means anything to you and your government, then you are challenged to lend an ear! The region could do with some supplemental budget as well.
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