The Joint Security Task Force of Police, UPDF, Uganda Prisons among others has come out with additional enforcement mechanisms, particularly in the public transport sector and market areas, in line with the directives of H.E The President and guidelines from the Ministry of Health; to help curb the spread of Coronavirus.
The additional measures include; a ban on movements of public passenger transport like buses, taxis, boda bodas and tuktuks. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says they are however permitting bodabodas carrying food items and essential goods, but that these can operate from their respective stages in close coordination with our security task teams.
All markets selling food items will remain open, while other non-essential areas remain closed. Other business premises like shops, pharmacies, restaurants, hotels and roadside vendors will continue operating provided they observe the guidelines of safe distance and hygiene. Also, all trucks, delivery vans and pickups shall continue operating while delivering food and essential commodities. In addition vehicles for sanitary services like garbage collection, cesspool emptying shall also continue operating. They should strictly carry a maximum of 3 people.
All essential vessels traveling on water are allowed to operate, apart from passenger canoes {Binala} that have been banned. However, traders can use canoes for shopping, and the public for transporting expectant mothers and other patients in close guidance with standard operating procedures with the Ministry of Health.
All personal /private vehicles are permitted to operate but restricted to carrying not more than 3 persons, all government vehicles are to be centralized at the respective district headquarters for better response to medical concerns. In addition, ambulances, vehicles for security operations, other institutional/government vehicles shall operate under the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, Enanga says the public should know that all these measures are focused on prevention to avoid a major outbreak or lockdown. It is therefore, critical for every Ugandan and visitors to follow the guidelines and work with the joint security task teams, to prevent the spread of the convid-19.
“We want to thank all members of the community who are broadly following these guidelines and further applaud them for their extra vigilance. They are encouraged to report acts of non-compliance on contact numbers 0800300100, 0713250391, 0714012734, and 0753997665. And for evacuation purposes, they should contact the following persons; ACP Namuwoza on 0772831993, Lt. Col. Bright Ruyonga on 0772510522 and Capt. Dr. David Magoola on 0772354011” he says.
Surveillance teams are closely monitoring and arresting, criminal elements that are treating the crisis as an opportunity to rob and also harm others.
“We are also targeting individual or groups, resisting prevention and control measures, intentionally spreading the virus and those using malicious propaganda, for further sanctions. The joint security task teams will regularly adjust its enforcement mechanisms in line with the contingency plans in place. For instance some major changes in enforcement by our officers have been made and we expect the public to see them as we move forward. The enforcement teams were directed to remain courteous and humane while executing the guidelines indicated above. All errant officers shall have action taken against them.”
