The Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng has warned that the country might have to go back into a total lockdown in order to avoid an unprecedented spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
The minister noted that the government may have no option but to enforce another lockdown if Ugandans fail to adhere to health guidelines aimed at curtailing the spread of Covid-19.
"People are no longer following the preventive measures and this is evident by what is happening in the markets, taxi, and bus parks. That means the entire country may get cases and we may move to stage 4 which is not desirable," Aceng said.
She explained that this may lead to mass infections and deaths adding that another lockdown will be necessary to avoid the looming danger.
The Minister was speaking as the acting Prime Minister Gen Moses Ali flagged off the free distribution of face masks.
President Museveni has been urging Ugandans to follow guidelines issued by health experts adding that the government has been listening and following advice given by medical experts.
The government of Uganda is set to distribute over 30 Million face masks countrywide. A total of 750,000 3 layered masks is set for distribution.
These are to be distributed to communities in border districts of Adjumani, Amuru, Kyotera and Rakai.
The masks distribution is part of government interventions to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Meanwhile, close to 200 inmates and 24 Prison officers are currently under quarantine at Kaiti prison in Namutumba District for 14 days after a former inmate tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Frank Baine, the Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson says the confirmed case was arrested for defying the presidential directive in Mayuge District and had spent four days in prison.
“After handing him over to the Ministry of Health, we have gone ahead to quarantine the whole prison, with prisoners and staff there for 14 days. We are expecting officials from the Ministry of Health to come and carry out random sample collecting,” Mr Baine said.
So far, Uganda had registered 665 cases of Covid-19, with 119 recoveries and zero death.
