President Yoweri Museveni extended Uganda’s lockdown measures for a further three weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The extension has to run up to May 5 when we can expect a third review.
Uganda had flattened the curve on COVID-19 as most cases have recovered and been discharged. In almost the entire last week, no internal cases were recorded. However, 22 imported cases by truck drivers have been recorded, a situation which is increasingly worrying.
Yesterday, four new COVID-19 cases were confirmed out of the 1,578 samples tested among truck drivers. All new confirmed cases are Tanzanian truck drivers who arrived via Mutukula border. 411 samples from communities tested negative for COVID-19. Uganda’s total cases of COVID-19 now stand at 79.
With Museveni set to address the nation tomorrow Tuesday, April 28 at 8pm, the country is pessimistic given the new wave of imported cases. However, Ugandans are very eager to know government’s plan on addressing the issue of truck drivers that are now a huge threat of the earlier efforts of fighting the pandemic.
Is extending lockdown possible?
Uganda’s brave-walk to kicking out the pandemic might be on the right path for now, but the increasing rise of cases from its neighbors especially Kenya, DR Congo and Tanzania should is alarming and therefore a huge concern.
As people waiting for May 5 to see whether Museveni will extend or slowly loosen up the lockdown, Press cards being issued by Uganda Media Center are communicating otherwise.
One of the cards belonging to Nation Media journalist Mabala Rachel that has been circulating on social media had an expiry date of June 30. This got many asking and wondering if country will be a lockdown until the above date.