“……there will be a curfew throught Uganda. Curfew yet to be determined.”
President Museveni has instructed police to arrest opportunistic politicians distributing food relief to privileged persons affected with corona virus outbreaks for sake of cheap popularity.
“From today I instruct police to arrest opportunistic politicians trying to distribute food to persons for cheap popularity,” Museveni instructed.
He further recommended for murder charges for any politicians arrested giving out food to people.
“Those arrested should be charged with attempted murder,” H.E YK Museveni urged.
The president was speaking to the press this evening Monday March30th,2020, at on the corona virus where he announced a total lockdown of the country prohibiting movement of people and suspension of private cars.
“We have prohibited people to people movements including people using private cars, tuk tuk (tricycles), and Boda Bodas. Private car owners are using them as taxis,” Museveni commands.
According to him, the lockdown shall help in combating the spread of the virus from person to person. The suspensions starts effectively 22:00PM. E.A.T. These shall only affect three districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono.
In his Address, the president assured the public that his government shall identify operators of public transport like Taxi Drivers, conductors especially those in towns who live on a hand to mouth income after which they shall be given relief inform of Kahunga (Maize flour) and beans.
The president gave among other directives;
Closure of Saloons, garages, Non-food shops, lodges for 14days effective Wednesday April 1st,2020.
He also instructed that factories, Construction sites remain open only if they can afford constructing temporary camps for workers to stay around.
He asked factories which can not afford to accomodate workers in temporary camps to suspend production for 14 days.
The president directed Food stores, Supermarkets to remain open but observe SOPs (Standard Operational Procedures) at work and ensure the physical distance control of buyers (at least 4metres) at the entrance and exit points.
Among other places to remain open includes Veterinary shops, drug shops, pharmaceutical shops and Agricultural input shops.
These directives come at a time when the world is living under fears of the deadly corona virus pandemic which has infected hundreds and thousands of lives with over 100000 people reportedly dead.
In Uganda, alone, the number of persons that have tested positive for COVID-19 stands at 33persons by press time and there’s no any case of death that was confirmed with in the country.
Due to this traumatizing healthy situations, a section of opposition groups from the FDC party had opted to start giving free charities to transport patients including pregnant mothers, Persons With Disabilities, Children to hospitals as the government health task force is busy handling corona virus patients.
However, the President refuted this act ordering them to stop.
“Those trying to take patients to the hospitals must also stop! If they have money to contribute let them bring the money to the task force to be used in a planned way,” he said.
It should be noted that few days ago, the PS ministry of healthy Dr Diana Atwine wrote a letter to the Parliamentary Clerk Byaruhanga requesting for Medical Vehicles (Ambulances) from Members of Parliament who have purchased some for their constituencies to help government in transportation of patients in local areas.
Some Legislators including those belonging to the opposition are among those asked toSUMMARRY
their ambulances. Its not yet clear whether or not these will give out / withdraw their vehicles as per the President’s directives.