Residents at Kiziru landing site Mpunge Sub County Mukono district have since failed to access Covid19 vaccination due to lack of National identification cards.
The biggest percentage of these residents lost their identification cards in fire which almost burnt down the entire island.
Apollo Gumisiriza, a fisherman narrates that when the government announced Covid 19 mass vaccination, he went to the vaccination center but unfortunately the health workers denied him a chance to get a jab for lacking a national ID.
“I went to the immunization center to get my first jab, but VHT’s and the health workers chased me away after failing to present my National ID, it’s my right to get vaccinated but due to conditions put up by health officials I had to give up.” He said.
Another resident Harriet Namyalo, a fish monger also says health officials asked for the National ID which she didn’t have and she was advised to go back and register for one.
“Since it’s a government program it would have been better also to provide that provision for those who don’t have the National ID’s since for the virus does not segregate.” Namyalo says.
Omaxis Mugisha, a village health team-VHT says that people without the National IDs were not able to access the vaccine because it was one of the requirements which were issued by the government to any Ugandan who wanted to be vaccinated.
“Many people in our area missed the jab due to this factor, many of our residents lost their ID’s in the fire outbreak which occurred last year where properties worth millions including documents were burnt into ashes.” He adds.
Aloysius Matovu, the Local Council-LCI Chairperson notes that as leaders live in fear since almost half of his people missed the jab due to the lack of ID’s yet are also on the verge of getting the disease.
Matovu added that lack of National ID has also prevented many Ugandans from accessing some basics like opening a bank account, buying a mobile sim card and passport.
Joshua Kisawuzi, the communication officer for Initiative for Social and Economic Rights says the country has had countless problems associated to the digital system since it was introduced in 2015, and many people are suffering because they cannot access the ID’s.
“Most affected people are women who have been turned away from health centers and the elderly, yet it’s their right to access medication.” He notes.
Emmanuel Aneinebyona, the Ministry of Health Spokesperson, says that after realizing this problem they directed all health workers to vaccinate all Uganda with or without National ID has long has provided with any document like Passport, driving permit, introduction / recommendation letter from the village Chairperson or a phone number.
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