DOUBLE “Z”

DOUBLE “Z”

There is a big number of Ugandans with in the major towns and main city of Kampala who survive on what they learn a day.

Consider a street vendor and a boda boda raider who feeds their family on a daily as they earn by the day. No savings because due to the nature of work.            The moto bike belongs to a considered wealth boss/on a bank loan, who requires a pay very day of shs 10,000. Just looking at one sector of individuals in the transport industry leaving out the taxi driver who is equally similar to this raider.

Unless you’re not on the on plant earth, but the transport system has been tasted and shaken by the corona virus (COVID 19). This did not leave out Uganda. Due to this virus, very home in this country has felt the bite of it economically and socially.

The boda boda business in Uganda is a huge business in most of the major cities to easy transport and give employment.it employs a number of youth even those with degrees from universities hence sustaining a number of families. However, the out break on the COVID 19 has left these families helpless., with main activity of Boda boda business (carrying people) stopped and only left to carrying luggage or food stuff from the market.

Due to these changes that came with the outbreak, I came across the double ‘’Z’’ life style. This is got from a local language of Luganda “Zekolawo Zendya” meaning “what I make is what I eat.”

What does this mean, that the stopping of the boda boda business has called a lot of suffering for many families with lack of food? One can’t not tell how long this will take (lock down) but just to think about it in detail. What will happen if the ‘’Double Z’’ group of people are still on the lock down.

Am sensing that we may have high rate of crime increase due to need of survival. Anybody would do anything to see their family live for the next day.

As communities and government we need to come up with ways to help Double Z and other people who may not be able to stay long in this lock down.

As we fight the corona virus, let us also prevent other virus that may be produced due to poverty, and fight for basic needs.

Let those who have much give to those with nothing, lets grow in love and unity in this crisis, bridge the gap between the double Z and other income earners.

I wish to thank government for the effort of giving out food, they only question is how long will this food take the families if the lockdown keeps on being pushed?

However, this should be a learning point for all people to always plan for times of crisis. Let this be a time of standing with each other, share the little we have with hope of things getting back to normal.