Museveni Warns Errant LDU: “I will Deal with those Pigs that Break into Civilians’ Homes during Curfew”

The Local Defence Unit (LDC) personnel who raid residences while conducting night curfew during lockdown will be severely punished, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said.

He likened these errant LDUs to pigs and will be dealt with accordingly.

Without mincing his words, Museveni activated Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema his trusted aide to be at the center of probing all the complaints raised by civilians.

Museveni was making his third address on Friday night to further reiterate government’s stand in the fight against COVID-19.

The army had received complaints that a section of errant LDU officers were breaking into residences while enforcing the night curfew in a bid to fight spread of Coronavirus.

Below are highlights of Museveni’s address

1. Congratulated Ugandans for the good response towards his call to remain at home as a way to fight COVID-19.
2. He reminded Ugandans that this is a matter of life and death and therefore we should not play around with it.
3. He also reminded us on how to protect/prevent COVID-19 as follows;

(I) Stay confined if you have a flu or cough. Isolate your self from family members. Do not sneeze or cough near others. Do not be near some one coughing or sneezing. Seek medical attention.

(ii) Periodically clean and sanitize frequently used/touched surfaces.

(iii) Wash your hands regularly with water and soap or use sanitizers.

(iv) Do not touch your face-eyes, nose and mouth.

4. So far we have 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and most of them are imported cases. Of the 45, 9 were captured at the airport, 23 were under quarantine while 13 has already interacted with the population. The 13 cases have had contact with 660 people and these have been identified.
5. The following sectors must be facilitated with stickers to continue working: Health, Electricity. Water, Banking and Veterinary Services.
6. Saluted the LCs for the good work being done.
7. Crime Preventers should not get involved in the COVID-19 exercise unless invited by UPDF.
8. LDUs must stop misbehaving and entering into peoples’ homes. Those who do this will be severely punished.
9. The announced curfew means staying at home but not necessarily staying inside the house. The home includes the house, compound, verandah, kitchen, etc. For some communities this could also mean the farm for cases where people have to bring cows to the craals.
10. The Country now has 10% of the required health protective gear. Government is working with local companies to produce the health protective gear from within the country.
11. Warned corrupt RDCs to stop issuing movement chits any how. This work should be left for the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport. After clarification on the matter, HE The President withdrew the statement on RDCs.
12. He advised people who are walking on foot to town in big numbers to stay at home. He mentioned that tomorrow he will task security to ask them where they are always walking to.
13. Advised markets to comply with SOPs or they will be closed. He gave an example of Kalerwe, Nakawa and Busega markets.
14. He down played the pessimism being exhibited in Parliament that the economy will suffer too much. Yes, some sectors will suffer but others will do well. For example the country is going to concentrate on local manufacturing. He also gave an example of the Pharmaceutical Industries which now have an opportunity to produce the drugs and PPE required in the struggle against COVID-19.
15. The Ministry of Health has not identified all the people who entered the Country during the critical period under reference. The process of identifying them is still ongoing.
16. Appealed to the public to contribute vehicles and food for this cause of COVID-19.
17. He clarified that the people being targeted for food distribution are those affected by the anti corona measures. For example the salon workers etc. He clarified that this is a short term measure and is not an anti poverty campaign.
18. Expectant mothers should keep in touch with Subcounty Leadership for facilitation to Health facilities.
19. Cleaners and support staff should camp at the offices.
20. He advised Ugandans that COVID-19 is not a disease for the whites only. He mentioned that a number of Africans have died in Europeans.
21. Food for the vulnerable in Kampala Metropolitan Area will be distributed house to house beginning tomorrow 4 April 2020.
22. He warned the population against being lured by self seekers to use herbs to treat COVID-19. He advised that any radio which advertises medicine that is not approved should be closed.
23. Today 3 people tested positive for COVID-19. In total we now have 48 cases.