COVID-19 Uganda: Sumy Sadurni Talks About Her Experience Covering Covid-19
Sumy Sadurni is a freelance photojournalist based in Kampala, Uganda. She is currently documenting the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Sumy usually reports on politics, society, gender and human rights and environment, but also works on long-term personal projects that look at different types of society and relationships. Currently Sumy is also reporting on the effects of the lockdown in the city to stop the spread of coronavirus, and shares her reporting experience with CFWIJ.
“I’ve been trying to focus also on initiatives that people are coming up with - such as a new TV show produced by a school and aired by national television so that children can learn from home, or boxers training at home rather than at normal gyms,” she said, adding that even though the situation is serious, it is important to have positive stories as well.
“I strongly want to tell stories about people that have been economically affected by the lockdown- but in a way that it can be relatable to the West, because actually, everyone in the world has been affected by this. Especially the self-employed, so I’m trying to really focus on this and connect audiences in different parts of the planet with each other.”
Sumy normally covers news and documenting coronavirus is not completely different to her usual work. However, she has observed a difference in the way she approaches people in order to ensure safety for them and herself.
“You are very much aware of personal space and the implications of you being in someone’s space for them. It’s also different in a way that when you go out and report, you gather so much more - in a more frantic way than usual - than perhaps you normally would because you don’t know if you will be able to do it again. The situation and your access could change from day to day,” she said.
Sumy informed us that Uganda currently has over 60 confirmed cases of Covid-19, but also adds that testing has been slow and the possibility of more unreported cases cannot be written off. The country closed its borders in the middle of March followed by a strict lockdown on March 30.
“Due to previous experiences with aggressive viruses, such as Ebola, the country - and many others in the region- it is fair to say that they are well prepared in terms of containing viruses, as well as tracing contacts. However, because of the lack of medical equipment such as facilities, ventilators and testing, there has been great concern of what will happen if the virus spreads,” she said when responding to CFWIJ.
Sumy has been on the ground to document the pandemic and takes safety measures to ensure her safety by wearing masks when necessary.
“Throughout the day when I’m reporting outside, I carry anti-bacterial wipes and disinfect my camera several times during the assignment (as well as my hands and steering wheel!). When I come home, the first thing I do is wash my hands. Then I take off clothes which will go straight into laundry, and take a shower to disinfect myself. Afterwards I set up a cleaning station for the gear, and disinfect everything including phone, power banks, memory cards, batteries and press passes. I also wash my bag,” she stated.
According to Sumy, journalists in Uganda were detained or not allowed to drive given the restrictions on movement, when the lockdown was initially imposed, no one was allowed to step out, drive their vehicle or use public transport. They were later given special stickers with a QR code registered to their name so they can move around the city freely. They are also required to have their media IDs that match the car’s QR at checkpoints and roadblocks.
“Now it has eased - but access to things like following the police after curfew to document how it’s being imposed has been difficult and not welcomed by authorities which is a big frustration. There definitely has to be a certain level of care when talking about authorities and the way the response has been handled as several journalists have been confronted by the government,” she shared, informing about the restrictions journalists are facing in the country.
Sumy also finds it challenging to get access to official things. For instance, following police after curfew or actually reporting after curfew completely.
“Due to the massive economical impact this lockdown has caused, safety and security have to be taken into serious consideration and we have to be very careful about where we go. Another challenge that comes with covering such a virus is the constant paranoia that you might get it - constantly thinking you have a temperature or any little cough sends you in a downward mental spiral!” she said.
To disconnect herself from the overwhelming coverage of the virus, Sumy exercises for 10 minutes at home and finds taking care of her mental health rather challenging.
“I think a key factor is not putting so much pressure on yourself as a journalist for not reporting all the time. We all have this urge to go out and document absolutely everything, but it isn’t possible. Whether it is because of personal safety, access, logistics,” she said and further added that one must make sure to not let the pressure get to their head.
“Particularly with the added financial pressure that freelancers are also facing. Once you can accept that, dealing with that urge becomes easier though of course there are good days and bad days,” Sumy said.
Like many other journalists around the world, Covid-19 has impacted Sumy’s life as well, more so following its financial consequences on freelancers in particular.
“Like many others, (my) assignments were cancelled on the spot. It has, like with a lot of people, questioned whether freelance journalism is a sustainable way of life - and that doubt is a constant battle to be dealing with (more than it was before the outbreak!) And I’m sure with the economic recession that is coming, freelance journalists will be hit very hard and this self-doubt will continue,” she lamented on the bleak future that most freelance journalists are dreading.
However, it doesn’t stop Sumy from exploring the creative and conceptual aspects of life amid Covid-19.
“For example, I take much more time looking at the surroundings of where I’m reporting and looking for details- which is something I learnt how to do at home in quarantine!” Sumy said.
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