EARTH DOESN'T NEED US BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED HER.

With many cities under lockdown, it gives us a glimpse into what the earth would be without humanity.
Many reports coming out of China indicate a steady decline in air pollution levels with NASA showing air contamination is down by 30% and this is massive considering China is the global leader in carbon emissions. These reports seem to point to the fact of how perilous our impact as humans has been on the planet.

A man moves through the empty streets of Wuhan, China which was the epicenter of COVID-19
(Business Insider) 

We have also seen in other countries where animals are taking advantage of the absence of us to seek comfort in our man made structures. In Venice, Italy,  the famous canals have been pictured being the cleanest they've been in decades and animals like dolphins and geese are showing  up to make themselves feel at home.

The canals of Venice look immaculate ever since humans stopped using them.
(Business Insider) 

In this vast emptiness of human presence, we see other planetary life thriving. This shows us one thing, we need to treasure mother nature more because we are just a pigment in her million years of existence. So when or if we ever get out of this pandemic we find ourselves in we need to sit back and realize that we all need Earth.

UNCERTAIN TIMES AHEAD AS UGANDA LOCKS DOWN

On Wednesday 18th March, 2020 Uganda received the first set of guidelines of the lockdown as President Museveni looked to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Museveni addresses the nation at State House on Wednesday 18th March,2020

Those revelations precceded those of Monday, 30th March as the President introduced more strict measures as the number of confirmed Corona virus cases soared to 48 within two weeks.

The Minister of Health, Ruth Acheng has had to constantly update the public on the COVID-19 situation in the country. (WHO) 

The new measures included a 14 day ban on public and private transport, all non food markets, shopping malls, bars, salons and all non-essential services. He on the other hand said that all Government offices were to be shut down except the army, police, health sector and other priority organisations like media.
Among other measures included a natiom wide curfew from 7pm to 6am which despite prior retaliation from the public was duly followed. The government hence sought the service of the Local Defence Unit along with the police to further enforce the curfew.

The streets of Kampala after the complete lockdown was announced by the President on Monday, 30th March.
(The Observer) 

The President in his address showed empathy for the estimated 1.6 million people in Kampala, he is clearly aware of the dire struggle that faces them but the virus spread must be controlled, he said, "We have  therefore decided to error on the side of caution. We must deny the virus the fuel to move."
There was however caution given to the food markets that would remain open, they were given guidelines like maintaining the 4 meter distance and all sellers should remain at the market for the 14 days.

A woman sleeps in Owino Market as they were ordered to not leave the market for 14 days on Monday.
(Courtesy photo) 

These measures attracted unrest from Ugandans as they decried the fact that they didn't have the luxury of working from home and having enough food for their households. On the back of these unrests, parliament held a session on 2nd April, 2020 to discuss the proposed shs 304 billion supplementary budget for this pandemic. Among the details debated on was the relief food aid to be delivered to the people of Kampala and Wakiso on 4th April. These food rations included 6kgs of maize flour with 3kgs of beans and salt for each person as well a 2kgs of powdered milk and 2kgs of sugar for breast feeding women and the sick.

Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance presents the details of the supplementary budget to parliament on Tuesday, 1st April.
(Daily Monitor) 

The current number of confirmed global cases of COVID-19 as of Friday, 3rd April, 2020 stands at 1,026,974 infected people and 53,975 deaths with countries like USA, Italy and China being the most affected. The right statistics of these cases is hard to determine because they grow each day and not all are reported.

The situation the world finds itself in is unprecdented and demands social changes to halt the spread of the virus and Uganda just like many other countries now, has decided to go the same direction of Lock down.

The Ugandan Economy will definitely feel a pinch from the Corona Virus pandemic as markets struggle.
(The East African) 

One thing is certain, there will be a lot of damage on Uganda's economy and social structures as nobody knows for how long.

A BILLION LIVES TURNED TO ASHES

Australia was hit with a massive heatwave from June, 2019 to January 2020 and with this, over a billion animals were lost and billions of dollars worth of human property destroyed.

A Helicopter sprays foam to help put out the fires in Canberra, Australia
(Reuters) 

2019 was a year of immense pressure on political heads to actualize plans to curb global warming efforts and sadly for the case of Australia, even the death of billions of animals and over 20 people didn't sway the government. Many climate activists had called for an end to fossil fuel mining which the state argued was bringing in lucrative deals for the country. These claims by the state simply angered the activists more with a large outcry for the Australian Prime Minister, Scot Morrison to resign.

It was because of this pressure that the Australian government issued out in excess of 10 Billion Australian pounds to help combat the fires. Though this seems like a step forward, many of the public feel more can be done or else Australia will continue to be in ash.

EUROS POSTPONED TO 2021

The corona virus pandemic has pushed the globe into a state of disorder and this is very evident in the footballing world as major tournaments and leagues have been postponed or cancelled.

UEFA President, Alexander Ceferin adressing the General Assembly on Monday morning in Monaco,France (Reuters)

The EUROS have been pushed forward by a year to June 11, 2021 as UEFA struggles to contain the spread of the virus.This comes after various consultations with health agencies on what to do at this time of unprecedented fear for life and health. The news was first brought out by the Norwegian Football Association and the European Football Governing body later confirmed the post.

The postponement  of this tournament will have a dominoes effect on other tournaments like The Nations League which was supposed to start also in June 2021 and also the 2024 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that were set to proceed in 2021.The situation the football world finds itself in mirrors that of the society, a situation never seen before and one with no immediate solution in sight. 

A SHOCK IN THE ROYAL FAMILY

In early January, 2020 the British Royal family was shaken to the core as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would step down as royals from the world's oldest monarch.

Prince Harry and Markle after meeting Queen Elizabeth in January
Photo:Gettyimages

These revelations come as a result of the a times harsh treatment Meghan has received from the British press. British tabloids like the Sun have published stories of how she us trying so hard to act like the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's wife. There have been even reports suggesting she is being targeted because she is from a biracial background with a White father and Dark mother.
Whatever the case behind their abdication, the Duke and Duchess have undoubtedly left a void in the family. They now plan to settle in Canada and work so as to be able to earn their own money without reliance on state funds.

THE CORONA VIRUS SCARE IN THE VATICAN

Pope Francis tested negative for the Coronavirus, this came after the Holy Father had to skip the Ash Wednesday mass because of a cold he has been battling.

Pope Francis coughed as he led mass on Sunday
(VaticanMedia)

These fears arise because Italy is the most affected country outside China with over 2000 people having been infected by the deadly virus. At the time of writing, Italy was the first country in Europe to go on lockdown with all of its occupants being told to isolate themselves for a minimum of a month. Italy has now been joined by France, Germany and U.S.A in adopting the social distancing policy.

2020 SET FOR MORE TAXES

The Ministry of Finance of Uganda released the 2020/2021 budget framework in December 2019 and it indicated that the amount of money from external donors will reduce and the general budget will be cut from shs 40.48 Trillion to shs 39.64 Trillion, upon release, the Minister of Planning, David Bahati explained that because of reduced external support, the public will have to cope with increased taxation to finance the budget.

Ugandans in urban centers may have to deal with increased commodity prices to cope with the rise in taxation intended to fund this year's national budget.

SUPPRESSION OF OPPOSITION

Ugandan opposition leaders like Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi are being strangled out of view with charges like sedition and treason being placed on them anytime they air views that contrast those of the ruling government.

 Besigye visits Kyagulanyi in Rubaga Hospital after he was beaten up by alledged Government operatives in early 2019
Photo;ObserverUg

ETHIOPIA'S AMBITIOUS AFFORESTATION PROJECT.

Ever since Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed came into office, he has spearhead great projects and in 2019, he kicked off a massive afforestation plan which brought together 23 million people in the African country as 353,633,600 trees were planted according to the Technology Minister, Gutahun Mekuria.

Ethiopians take part in the national tree planting day on 28th July, 2019 in the capital,Addis Ababa
Photograph: Micheal Tuwelde

LOCUSTS PUT MILLIONS AT RISK OF STARVATION

The UN declared the recent infestations of locusts in Africa as the "worst" in a quarter of a century and this is no hyperbole as this swarm of locusts carries the potential of destroying food that can feed 35,000 people in one day which is now putting over 25 Million people at the risk of starvation in 15 countries.

A UPDF soldier sprays a plantation infested with locusts in Moroto,Uganda

SYRIA REFUGEE CRISIS

With over half of the pre-war population either displaced or dead. An estimated 22 Million Syrians have had an awful life ever since the war begun. With now over 12 Million of them displaced, many of them have gone to neighboring Lebanon, Iran and over 3 Million have moved to Turkey where they have flooded the urban cities and created culture tensions which has led to many racist attacks on the Syrian refugees.

A group of Syrian refugees storm the beaches of Turkey as they flee tensions in Damascus,Syrian