Uganda Extends Nationwide Lockdown for 3 More Weeks

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has extended the nationwide lockdown because of the COVID19 pandemic by three more weeks.

In a live televised speech on Tuesday, Museveni asked Ugandans to stay home for 21 more days.

“The additional 21 days will help us to defeat the virus or else to prepare to fight it better,” he said.

He explained that the additional days start from April 15th to May 05, 2020.

The announcement coincided with the expiry of the 14 day lockdown, which Museveni announced on March 30, 2020 to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Uganda has so far registered 54 confirmed Covid-19 cases. Seven of them recovered and were discharged from hospitals over the weekend.

Another eight recovered patients are scheduled to be discharged.

“Some of you might wonder why are you disturbing us with another 21 days. The main answer is that these 54 may not be the only ones,” he said.

He said health officials found the 54 after blocking the airport and tracing some of them from in their homes.

[caption id="attachment_121427" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Uganda's President  Extends Nationwide Lockdown for 3 More Weeks[/caption]

“There could be others. That is where the problem is now. That is why we think it is safer that we should not be like a woman who wants to deliver at eight months or cow at eight months. It would be better for the woman to be patient and deliver at nine months. Let’s be patient,” he said.

“If somebody is asymptomatic he could be spreading the virus to his family or people in his village. Not all of them will be asymptomatic at least some of them will show signs and we collect them for testing,” Museveni added. “We have dealt with these ones of the airport but let us keep quiet and wait.”

“Let’s wait for another 21 days if things don’t work out we shall decide to move on for better or worse. At least we shall have tried our best.”

Museveni noted that while government has managed to successfully lock down the airport, there is still a big problem on the country’s borders because of corrupt police and immigrations who pocket bribes to allow in people.

“Those who get arrested should be charged with attempted murder or murder when their actions actually lead to loss of life,” Museveni said.

Furthermore, Museveni announced restrictions on cargo truck drivers, saying they will be screened at all border entries and only pack in gazetted areas.

“These trucks should park in open fields. Where possible they should sleep under their cars and avoid guest houses to avoid infecting each other,” he said.

Contributed by Ahmed Wetaka, Kampala-Uganda