President Yoweri Museveni has said that while it would have aided the fight against COVID-19 in the country, it is absolutely suicidal to ban cargo trucks.
"Until the train is fully operational, I appeal to Ugandans to swallow your anger and employ amagezi [wisdom]. Stopping cargo is not only suicidal but also unnecessary," the President said.
This is in response to appeals by a section of Ugandans who have been calling for a total ban on trucks coming in and outside Uganda. This is because Uganda has consistently discovered that the truck drivers, especially from Kenya and Tanzania, are the new carriers of the COVID-19.
"I say it is suicidal because if we stop cargo, how will our coffee and cotton, tea, cotton, milk, cement from the factories and food) move?"
"Secondly, my point is, it is not necessary," added the President, pointing to the revised directive that long-distance trucks must have only one occupant - the driver - as opposed to the initial three.
"This is safer," Museveni noted.
Once again, Museveni, during last night's address urged the ministry to ensure that the drivers coming into the country do not mix with the local people - especially the so-called ladies of the night.
This is a planned war - not an emotional one
Meanwhile, the President said that Uganda enforced "radical" measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, "these were calculated measures".
"This is a planned war. It is not an emotional war and it is not a suicidal war. To interfere with cargo, it is suicidal."
On the issue of financial contribution towards the fight against COVID-19, President Yoweri Museveni committed half of his salary to the fight against COVID-19.
The President earns about sh3.6m as monthly salary, 20% of which goes to his political party, the National Resistance Movement.
“It will be upon the civil servants and the reasons they give you for not contributing to this important cause,” Museveni said as he wooed other government workers to join the drive.
While addressing the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, Museveni also revealed that the manufacturing sector had developed in the country.
Though the tourism sector has been affected, Museveni highlighted that other sectors of the economy were thriving.