Uganda has today May 6, 2020 officially started on the 14-days lockdown extension announced by President Museveni on Monday. While announcing the extension, Museveni made some slight ease on restrictions; he allowed garages, carpentry shops and restaurants among other businesses to operate as long as they follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
However, Police yesterday heavily deployed around Kiseka market blocking spare parts shops from opening. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said traders misinterpreted Museveni’s directives as he only allowed garages not spare parts shops.
Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde held a press conference at Media Centre and explained more about the directives.
“Sometimes it is just…a bit of…common sense,” Kyambadde said revealing that there is no way garages can operate without spare parts shops being opened.
“Since garages were opened, spare parts shops are also to open to supply the garages with the necessary equipment,” Kyambadde said.
She said wholesale shops dealing in essential products such as foodstuff, medicines, agriculture inputs, and veterinary shops should also be allowed to operate. However, SOPs must be adhered to in managing all the above operations.