Cases of COVID-19 have in past days spiraled as Truck Drivers from neigbouring countries are allowed to move into Uganda without verifying their COVID-19 status at the border.
The Ministry of Health has been testing these drivers and allow them to deliver cargo before results return
However, their movement has become a threat to the local communities whom these drivers interact with along the way before final destination.
Uganda’s confirmed cases were at 55 last week, on Sunday while the President addressed the nation.
Surprisingly the infections have since shot to 74 in 5 days prompting the President Yoweri Museveni to order that all truck drivers are permitted to move into Uganda after they have been tested and their results released.
All the new infections are truck drivers from either Kenya or Tanzania.
“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 on his Twitter page.
He added: “We want to test these drivers before they come here. They should only be allowed to move when the results are released. I will detailed this matter in the address on Tuesday.”
On Thursday 11 cargo drivers who arrived in Uganda from Kenya and Tanzania have tested positive for Coronavirus.
The infections brought a total number of Coronavirus cases in Uganda to 74 with 46 recoveries and zero deaths.
According to the Ministry the new patients are 6 Tanzanian truck drivers who arrived via Mutukula border post and 5 Kenyan truck drivers; 3 arrived via Malaba and 2 arrived via Busia border posts.
