This evening, President Museveni has addressed the country in as many days since the first coronavirus pandemic case was confirmed in the country less than two weeks ago.
The President has subsequently been issuing directives intended to prevent the spreading of the virus in the population like banning flights to and fro Uganda, public transport, social gatherings, concerts and any form of merrymaking, as well as religious gatherings.
The President has issued more directives to further make sure the spreading of the virus is limited no near zero. The directives issued mean that the country is under total lockdown for 14 days, as all movement of people, even those using private means to and from different parts of the country has been banned with immediate effect.
“I would give people time to prepare but they would travel to the villages, and in doing so, they might spread the virus which we are trying to avoid,” President Museveni said in his address.
Arcades and other forms of stores have also been closed. The President said that only shops selling food should remain open. Supermarkets should also remain open but must limit the number of people who get in and out, because people may get infected by the unsanitised trollies.
Museveni has encouraged the public to embrace online shopping where people can call service providers and have their items delivered to their homes so they don’t have to move anywhere. Lodges, salons and garages have also been suspended.
“There will be curfew starting from 19:00hrs (7pm) tomorrow, Tuesday March 31, 2020 in the whole of Uganda for 14 days. Only cargo trucks will be allowed to move beyond that time. Let people stay home,” Museveni directed.
Although most movement of people is suspended, essential service providers like medics, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), waste collection trucks, air cargo and cargo trucks should stay moving, with only the crew on board.
These directives will run for a period of 14 days as the Ministry of Health is observing the prevalence of the virus in the country.