Preventive measures save lives
Please protect yourself and others around you by observing simple precautions: wear a mask, wash your hands, keep a safe distance, and avoid crowds.
Note these important details:
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and running water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid contact with anyone, especially those with a cold or flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sneezing).
- Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands, knocking elbows or bumping fits as a way of greeting.
- Wear a mask properly, covering your mouth and nose when in public, and while at home when you are caring for an infected person who is under home based care/isolation.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Maintain a distance of at least 2 meters (6 feet) between yourself and others
Seek medical attention to protect lives
If you are experiencing fever, dry cough, tiredness, headache, loss of smell or difficulty breathing, please wear a mask and report immediately to the nearest health facility or the Village Health Team focal point in your area. The earlier you are assessed by a physician, the faster you can be tested and treated, should you turn positive to COVID-19.
Note these important details:
- Delays in seeking medical attention increase the risk of severe disease and death
There is no shame and blame in having COVID-19. The virus is the problem, not the people.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough, tiredness, headache, loss of smell or difficulty breathing), please come forward and seek medical attention at the nearest health facility or the Village Health Team focal point in your area. Should you turn positive to COVID-19, the health experts will advise you on the next steps.
Note these important details:
- Should you turn positive to COVID-19, you have a very important role in facilitating contact tracing and helping save lives.
Help the most vulnerable
Vulnerable people such as older persons a risk, persons with disabilities and chronic diseases need extra care. If you are aware of vulnerable individuals in your neighborhood, please check on them while observing preventive measures and refer them to community leaders and community-based networks in your area. If they show COVID-19 symptoms, please inform the nearest health facility or the Village Health Team focal point in your area.
Vaccine is safe and saves lives
The COVID-19 vaccine helps prevents severe disease and deaths and reduces the rapid spread of infection. It has been through extensive and rigorous research and safety processes and is SAFE and EFFECTIVE.
In Uganda, the vaccine is now available to all persons above 18 years of age. In addition, children aged 12-17 years with chronic underlying conditions like diabetes, Sickle cell disease, cancers, asthma, high blood pressure, heart, kidney and liver diseases will also be vaccinated with ONLY the Pfizer vaccine. Vaccines are available free of charge to both refugees and Ugandans.
The vaccine will help your body’s natural defense system to recognize and fight off the virus that causes COVID-19. Apart from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, for the rest of the COVID-19 vaccines in circulation, you need to receive two doses to be fully protected. Please protect yourself and loved ones by getting vaccinated and encourage others to get vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. However, as with all medicines, side effects can occur after getting a vaccine. The known side effects are usually very minor and do take a short while and disappear. The known common ones are:
- Pain at injection site
- A sore arm
- A mild fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mild fever
If you have already received the first dose, ensure that you receive the second dose as guided by the health workers in order to be fully protected. In refugee-hosting districts, vaccination services are available in the facilities listed at this link (provide link to the annex below). If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are encouraged to go to the nearest facility and be vaccinated. Please carry your ID or any other form of identification that can confirm your eligibility for the vaccine.
Even if you are fully vaccinated, it is important to note that the best way to prevent COVID-19 infection is to avoid getting exposed to the virus. Therefore, please continue to observe the preventive measures listed above, including wearing your face mask properly while in public, regular hand washing, and social distancing.
For more information and reporting COVID-19 symptoms:
Contact the nearest health facility or the Village Health Team (VHT) focal point in your area. You can also call the Ministry of Health toll free line: 0800 100066, 0800 203033 or send a free SMS to UReport on 8500
For general inquiries:
Call the inter-agency (FRRM) helpline number: 0800 323232
Annex: COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES IN REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS / REFUGEE-HOSTING DISTRICTS IN UGANDA (as of December 2021)
| District | Service Point |
|---|---|
| Adjumani | Alere HC II, Agojo HC II, Maaji B HC II, Ayiri HC III, Nyumanji HC II, Elema HC III, Pagirinya HC II, Elegu HC II, Aliwara HC II, Mungula HC IV, Bira HC II, Lewa HC II, Ayilo 1 HC II, Ayilo 2 HC III, Ukusijoni HC III, Maaji A HC II, Maaji C HC II |
| Bidibidi | Bidibid HC III, Twajiji HC III, Iyete HC III, Swinga HC III, Koro HC III, Yayari HC III, Kombge HC III, Jomorogo HC III, Luzira HC III, Yoyo HC III, Bangatuti HC III, Migoro HC III, Bolomoni HC III, Igamara HC III, Yangani HC III, Okubani HC III, Ayivu HC III |
| Imvepi | Yinga HC III, Imvepi HC II |
| Kampala | Kisenyi HC IV, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kwempe Hospital, Kiruddu Hospital, Kisugu HC III, Kiswa HC III, Makerere University Hospital, Naguru Hospital, Bukoto HC II, Kawala HC, Nsambya Hospital, Lubaga Hospital, Mengo Hospital, Kibuli Hospital, Kisasi COU HC, City Hall Clinic, Kitebi HC |
| Kiryandongo | Panyadoli HC III, Nyakadot HC II |
| Kyaka | Bujubuli HC IV, Mukondo HC II |
| Kyangwali | Maratatu B HC III, Rweyawawa HC III, Kasonga HC II, Kyangwali HC IV |
| Lobule | Kuluba HC III, Lobule HC III, Pijoke HC III, Koboko Hospital |
| Nakivale | Rwekubo HC IV, Nakivale HC III, Kibengo HC II, Juru HC II, Rubondo HC III |
| Oruchinga | Nshugyezi HC III, Rulongo HC II |
| Palabek | Awich HC II, Paluda HC III, Akworo HC II |
| Palorinya | Aliba HC III, Belameling HC III, Belle HC III, Ibakwe HC II, Iboa HC II, Idiwa HC III, Itula HC III, Kali HC II, Luru HC III (NFP), Obongi HC IV, Palorinya HC III |
| Rhino Camp | Ocea HC II, Olujobo HC III, Omugo extension HC III, Ofua 3 HC III |
| Rwamwanja | Rwamwanja HC III, Kyempango HC III, Mahega HC II |
Key messages for COVID-19 patients undergoing home-based isolation and care
Home-based isolation and care can be prescribed only by a healthcare worker
If you are a COVID-19 patient and have been advised to undergo isolation at home, please stay at home and away from other people to prevent the spread of the virus. If your condition deteriorates, please report to the nearest health facility or the Village Health Team focal point in your area.
Note these important details:
- Continue observing preventive measures while at home: wear a mask, wash your hands and keep distance.
- If possible, stay in a separate room from the rest of your family.
- Eat regularly.
- Exercise regularly within the perimeter of your shelter.
- Stay connected with your family and keep talking about your needs and feelings.
For more information and reporting COVID-19 symptoms:
Call the Ministry of Health toll-free line: 0800 100066, 0800 203033 or send a free SMS to Ureport on 8500
For general inquiries:
Call the inter-agency (FRRM) helpline number: 0800 323232
Please note that ALL services delivered by UNHCR and partners, including registration, are provided for FREE.
