In the wake of Coronavirus cases rising in Uganda, President Museveni decided to suspend all public transport in the country for 14 days in a move aimed at preventing the spread of the virus amongst the public.
This directive meant that buses, boda bodas, taxis, trains, tuku tukus had to suspend operations with immediate effect, but boda bodas allowed to carry only food and other essential items, and private cars allowed to carry only three people including the driver.
Today as operators put the President’s direction into action, people have had to walk to work, while the operators have literally gone on forced holiday, something some MPs have seen as a not so great move.
In a press briefing held by Kampala Central Member of Parliament Muhammad Nsereko, and Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante among others, they have asked the President to reconsider the directive he issued last night and allow taxis carry fewer people especially those leaving Kampala to the villages.
“We appreciate the measures the Government has put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 but we are saying, these measures shouldn’t be implemented there and then. People should be given a chance to adjust,” suggested Kasibante.
Muhammad Nsereko added, “The work done so far is not bad but I would like to ask President Museveni to relax the ban on public transport.”
Currently, Uganda has 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus but the Ministry of Health continues to urge the general public to stay calm, vigilant, and keep following all the preventive measures put in place like washing hands with soap regularly, staying home and practicing social distancing.