Following the outbreak Covid-19 in the country, the government took an initiative and started the policy of vaccinating people as part of the measures to control the spread of the disease.
Much as the vaccination program was initiated, several residents did not embrace it despite being free.
This prompted the Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Acheng to table a Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2021 before Parliament introducing mandatory vaccination of residents or risk detention for six months or pay a fine shilling four million.
The bill invoked a serious debate among the members of parliament, human rights activists and some medical workers until recent.
Simon Rash, a resident of Nama Village in Mukono district says less sensitization was done about the vaccine as well as the bill and therefore need to be scrapped.
An orthopedic doctor at Mukono, Hannington Muwaga also notes that much as it was intended for the good being of residents, making it mandatory was a violation of human rights.
“Uganda’s approach was a copy cut style. Western countries made a declaration for all 60yrs and above individuals in their country to undergo mandatory vaccination.” Muwanga says.
He also notes “Assuming that 3o percent of the targeted people defy the law and they are willing to pay the penalty, will the puzzle of mandatory vaccination be solved?” Muwaga wonders.
Irene Nabuuma, a secondary school teacher says that she doesn’t believe mandatory vaccination and therefore freedom for one to decide was prudent.
She adds that research has shown in developed countries complications move along with the jabs.
Julius Bogere, a human rights defender from Christian Humanitarian Aid Uganda says some covid-19 vaccines have had far-reaching effects on humans which stretch to death.
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