Uganda Registers 11 New Coronavirus Cases

Uganda has registered 11 new coronavirus cases, bringing to 74 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

All the new cases are cargo truck drivers comprising of six Tanzanians and five Kenyans. The Tanzanian drivers entered the country through the Mutukula border while the Kenyan entered through Malaba and Busia border posts.

In his statement issued on Thursday night, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General of Health Services in the Uganda Health Ministry, said: "All the 11 cases didn’t present any signs and symptoms that are associated with COVID-19- coronavirus.”

He called for calm and vigilance among Ugandans to prevent the escalation of infections.

So far 17 truck drivers including one Ugandan have tested positive for the virus. The drivers were identified through the mandatory testing, which started two weeks ago at Uganda’s borders.

The Health Ministry is tracing over 300 Ugandans believed to have come into contact with at least one of the 17 truck drivers who have since tested positive.

On the other hand, Uganda’s Internal Affairs Minister, Gen. Abubakar Jejje Odongo told journalists on Thursday that the government was still puzzled on how to handle the issue of the truck drivers, who seem to be a source of infections in the country.

There has been a public outcry from Ugandans on social media calling on the government to either stop the truck drivers from entering the country until after confirming their status.

Currently, the Health Ministry collects samples from the truck drivers and allows them to proceed, a thing that seems to be exposing Ugandans to infection.

During one of his Covid19 televised addresses, President, Yoweri Museveni said they had decided to let the cargo drivers proceed without interruption because they are delivering essential goods needed both in Uganda and its neighboring countries.

He asked the local authorities to ensure the truck drivers park in designated parking areas and sleep in their vehicles to stop the spread of the virus.

Contributed by Ahmed Wetaka, Kampala-Uganda