President Yoweri Museveni has said locking out cargo trucks from entering Uganda is not an option in the prevention of the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.
Uganda's COVID-19 cases rose to 74 yesterday after 11 more truck drivers from Kenya and Tanzania tested positive. At least 19 of Uganda's latest 20 coronavirus cases have been imported into the country by truck drivers from neighbouring countries.
This has led to many Ugandans who are now under the fourth week of lockdown to call for locking out truck drivers who have become the latest mass carriers of the virus.
While flagging off vehicles donated by different people and organisations towards the fight against COVID-19, Museveni said Uganda being land locked can't afford to close its land borders and the solution lay in making sure that the truck drivers that are allowed in the country are free of the virus.
"We want to test these drivers before they come here. They should only be allowed to move when the results are released. I will detailedly address this matter on Tuesday," said the president.
Museveni said Uganda's position that the Health minister, Jane Ruth Aceng presented to the East African Community ministers' of health meeting, is relay driving where drivers take cargo up to their respective country exit points from where it is picked up by local drivers up to the final destination.
"We started at the airport and we are now shifting to land borders. Tests have shown that we have problems with the truck drivers and at this very moment, the minister of Health is meeting line ministers of the different East African countries to map a way forward," said Museveni.
Museveni also said another option includes deploying rapid testing at the border points so that drivers know their status before entering the country.
He said even regular testing Museveni said could be considered although he was quick to add this might be problematic because of overcrowding at the border, especially if drivers have to wait for their results before proceeding to their destinations. He also said they are still discussing whether to allow only one person in the truck.
"We don't need a turnboy because the roads in Uganda, and I hope in other countries are good. We have also got petrol stations every 15 miles. If we want one driver per vehicle, then this reduces the number," Museveni said.
He noted that the ultimate solution to the problem is to get a vaccine for the virus.
He noted that the ultimate solution to the problem is to get a vaccine for the virus.
"I have been discussing with our scientists and they are sure a vaccine can be developed. That's the real answer, but that may take some months. Therefore, in the short run, prevention is the only way," Museveni said.
He thanked Ugandans for being vigilant and reporting any suspected coronavirus cases. He said with such an awaken population; the country will defeat the virus. He warned politicians to stop interfering in the efforts to defeat the virus. He singled out Acholi leaders who accosted the ambulance taking a truck driver who had tested positive to Gulu regional referral hospital.
"Entebbe hospital where these people are being treated is my neighbour just behind my fence but you haven't heard me say I'm going to get the virus. We are tired of idiots; the people can be confined anywhere and the virus will not affect you. They must desist from interfering with the work of the health workers," Museveni said.
He thanked Ugandans for being vigilant and reporting any suspected coronavirus cases. He said with such an awaken population; the country will defeat the virus. He warned politicians to stop interfering in the efforts to defeat the virus. He singled out Acholi leaders who accosted the ambulance taking a truck driver who had tested positive to Gulu regional referral hospital.
"Entebbe hospital where these people are being treated is my neighbour just behind my fence but you haven't heard me say I'm going to get the virus. We are tired of idiots; the people can be confined anywhere and the virus will not affect you. They must desist from interfering with the work of the health workers," Museveni said.
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