Uganda's coronavirus cases have risen to 114 after another 13 truck drivers tested positive on Friday, May 8.
Among the latest 13 positive cases are 7 were Kenyans, 4 Ugandans and two Tanzanians.
There were 3,161 samples tested on Friday including 2,421 samples from truck drivers and 740 community samples. Ministry of Health says efforts are being made to track the latest positive cases who continued with their journeys.
Of Uganda's confirmed 114 cases, 54 are from truck drivers - 46 foreign drivers and 8 Ugandan truck drivers.
The latest positive has drawn fury online from Ugandans, who are attacking the government for allowing truck drivers to move to their destinations without waiting for confirmation of their COVID-19 results. A section of Ugandans has expressed fears that having endured the brunt of the lockdown to curtail the spread of the virus, government is now failing them by allowing positive truckers into the community.
President Yoweri Museveni has insisted truck drivers will not be blocked from entering Uganda because one; Uganda needs to export and import goods but it is also a gateway to other countries including Rwanda, South Sudan, DR Congo. Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine said it would too risky to hold the drivers together in one place as they wait for results for hours because they might end up infecting each other in case some are positive.
Assuming that we hold the 13 positives among 1000 drivers in one place for hours, ,do you know the dangers we are likely to get ? https://t.co/StNnfQJvE4
— Dr. Diana Atwine (@DianaAtwine) May 9, 2020
confusing.If they cant be tested 4m their countries be4, i dont know why we allow them to enter. If other business have been stopped, then why these #truck drivers? can't we really survive without them.
— Talame Martin (@TalameMartin) May 9, 2020
If our economy #UG falls, it can be rebuild but we can't restore lost lives
@MinofHealthUG, @JaneRuth_Aceng @KagutaMuseveni With all the necessary steps you put in place since 18th, you can't assure me you have failed to find a solution for truck drivers who we have known for weeks as the greatest enemy. The president clearly states this is war and...
— Brandon K (@Burhandoni) May 9, 2020
.. Shame on you all those we have trusted with our safety.
— Brandon K (@Burhandoni) May 9, 2020
You are doing the same things you tell us not to do.
What do truck drivers carry that is so important and perishable that can't wait @MinofHealthUG @JaneRuth_Aceng @KagutaMuseveni @DianaAtwine
She is saying the 13 will infect a good number of the one thousand.
— Godfrey S Kyedza™️ (@kyedza) May 9, 2020
Meaning we have no capacity to hold 1,000 people safely in one place near the borders. (Schools, churches, farms etc). https://t.co/PQ7jYBcekU
Can't we do away with trucks? Can't we find substitutes for whatever they are bringing in our country? After all the president said we can make most things in Ug
— BUULE GABRIEL CHRISPUS (@GabrielBuule) May 9, 2020
My brother BUULE; We cannot have everything here. Fuel, medical supplies and other essentials come by truck to UG. Also, goods to neighboring countries pass thru here. The real QN shd be; how do we move on in a safe way. @DianaAtwine and team are working hard on this.
— Abenaitwe Cliff (@clifflyk) May 9, 2020
They can remain inside their trucks While waiting for the result. Kenya Government is not playing their part to test driver from Kenya. What should uganda carry the burden yet Same kenya Government is saying Kenyan truck drivers are being mistreated in uganda. This should stop.
— Simon Peter Obinya 🇺🇬🇰🇪 (@ObinyaJericho) May 9, 2020
Wow, what a Reasoning, ur blessed so better they interact with the public than being held in their trucks until results are produced so that they can proceed? This is a very simple issue I wonder why it has become a burden!
— Dr. Felan (@DrFelan) May 9, 2020
I get your point Dr. But its higher time we used other proffesions in this. A communication expert trained in diplomatic communication and a sociologist are better placed to communicate the same message in a different way.
— seguya Henry (@SeguyaHenry) May 9, 2020
If the president passed orders and confined people to their houses,he can as well pass orders to have all Truck drivers tested before they enter Uganda than exposing the people u confined to their houses!
— Dr. Felan (@DrFelan) May 9, 2020
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