Ugandan leader Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is optimistic local doctors will neutralize COVID-19 after a first patient who tested positive exhibited major signs of improvement.
Aged 36, the businessman is isolated at Entebbe Grade B Hospital where he was taken Saturday after testing positive on his return from Dubai.
Three days later, government confirmed eight more cases and the victims were all returning from Dubai.
In awake of the new cases, Mr. Museveni addressed the nation on Tuesday evening at State House Nakasero citing measures which will be undertaken to prevent the spread of the virus.
In his address, the President said the first patient is in steady condition with no symptoms and has since developed appetite which gives hope that he could heal from the disease.
World wide, about 40% of the patients have recovered while 5% have died.
Museveni added that even the new cases, patients are not in serious condition, its only one who is yet to stabilize.
“We will treat them the Ugandan way. And we have seen that it is possible,” said Museveni without delving much into what medicine is being used to treat these patients.
The President said, because it is possible COVID-19 can be treated, Uganda will not follow what the foreign experts have been prescribing.
In U.S, President Donald Trump recommended chloroquine as a major dosage for this virus.
Ugandans on Tuesday expected tough measures to be announced by the President like banning of public transport, deploying military to enforce curfew, slashing food prices which have suddenly escalated and many more.
But Museveni only cautioned what he termed as “crooks” in towns who want to hike food prices that they risk losing their license.
On banning public transport, Museveni considered the revival of bicycling as a major means of transport in the city.
Museveni appealed to Ugandans to comply with health guidelines and coronavirus will be defeated.
He said washing hands and avoiding handshakes is the major precaution of avoiding spread of the virus.
