President Museveni tightens efforts to defeat the coronavirus. Troubled helpless Ugandans ready to face more financial wars as president extends lockdown to more 21 days.
In the past weeks, ugandans have been in a locked of 2 weeks to curb the further spread of coronavirus with several dozens of measures like closure of schools, no public transport, suspension of non- food businesses, non- essential workers, nightly curfews and more issued by the government.
On April 14 , the president was expected to actually loosen some of the strict measures due to the Ugandans battling with the financial crisis moreso stranded in towns with no more source of income but instead extended to more 21 days.He said “We shouldn’t be like a pregnant mother who delivers at 8 months, be patient upto the 9th month.”
This extension is majorly to help ugandans decisively defeat the virus or if not, be prepared to deal with it. Uganda so far, has 54 cases and some recent cases were from the public which threatens the government for more alertness because the virus must be in the population.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COVID-19 ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HE THE PRESIDENT 14 APRIL 2020.
- Ugandans have to reduce on appetite for money or else the disease will defeat us!
- The market vendors sleeping at the markets should be given treated mosquito nets and polythene to protect them against rains.
- The LC1s’ and village members have been empowered not to allow strangers to come and infect their community with COVID-19.
- Corrupt Police and immigration Personnel have been warned. These will be followed up and charged in courts for attempted murder.
- There is a possibility that we still have some COVID-19 carriers in the population whom we need to find out.
- Truck drivers will continue to be tested at the border but will continue with their journeys and tne results will be communicated to them.
- Internal truck drivers should only move to and stop at designated areas. They should be monitored to ensure compliance.
- The cargo plane crew should be accommodated in designated hotels.
- The health workers will all be provided with PPE.
- THE CURRENT LOCKDOWN STAYS FOR THE NEXT 21 DAYS UNTIL 5 MAY 2020.
- The school children and students should stay at home and help their parents.
- Security forces have a right to defend themselves against attack by any person.
- Works on farms must continue as well as work at the factories and other essential services as will be clarified by the COVID-19 Task Force.
- The food support is for the urban groups who were depending on daily income and this income has been affected by the COVID-19 lock up measures.
- The 54 patients are all doing well. Seven were discharged and more eight will shortly be discharged.
- The Government of India will help Uganda on getting Chloroquine.
- Thanked Health workers for the good job done and requested the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport to sort out the issue of their stickers to allow them to move to and from their health facilities.
- Thanked all the people and institutions that donated items and money to help in the fight against COVID-19.