Airports, Borders Remain Closed, 110 Arcades, Boda, Saloons Resume

BY PATRICK JARAMOGI

KAMPALA, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| No economy is more important than life,” said President Museveni. As he addressed the nation on July 21, 2020, Museveni made several pronouncements amidst warning of crushing those opposed to his moves.

As a smoother, he announced that boda boda cyclists will upon advise from the scientists be allowed to resume operations, but under very strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Addressing the nation from State Lodge Nakasero, Gen. Museveni said boda boda will operate only if they have facemasks, helmets, record books for all their clients as well as the observance of cleanliness.

“The reason I am strict on record keeping is for tracing purposes. In case we learn of a case we can easily follow up,” said Museveni.

He said all boda boda cyclists will only be allowed to operate (carry passengers) on July 27 after being gazetted by the Ministry of Works and Transport. “All bodas bodas will be allowed to operate from one stage to be gazetted by the Ministry of Works. They can only resume on July 27, 2020,” said Museveni. He said boda bodas will only operate from 7 am to 6 pm and must carry one passenger at a time.

Earlier the State Minister for Works Joy Kabastisi told parliament that boda boda would resume but must have a class A permit for motorcycles, a third party as well as facemask and sanitizer.

Arcades, Saloons Resume

Commenting on the issue of re-opening arcades and saloons, Museveni said Saloons and arcades will open immediately. “I was told Kampala has 230 arcades, out of these, only 110 have been inspected and are compliant. It is only these that can open,” said Museveni.

He said the 110 approved arcades must have temperature guns, hand washing facilities, and observe social distancing. “ I don’t want any people operating in corridors, steps, and verandahs. All sellers and buyers must observe social distancing and wear masks,” said Museveni. Adding: “The shopkeepers must have records phone contacts, and National IDs of all buyers to enable us to trace the persons in case of reported cases.” He said no hawkers should be present in the arcades, similarly, no arcade should have any ACs operating. “Most people died in Europe because of these ACs. I stopped ACs in your government State House Entebbe a long time ago,” he said.

Museveni also said all arcades must have toilets and not paid for to enable shop-goers access to toilet facilities.

Regarding the saloons, all saloon operators must have face shields, temperature guns as well as the observance of social distancing. All saloons must also have hand washing facilities and use sanitizers.

Airports, Borders, Schools, Bars, Churches Remain Closed

President Museveni said as the situation remains volatile all borders and airports will remain closed. “We can’t guarantee the safety of flights at the moment, so for that, all borders and airports will remain closed,” he said.

He said churches and schools will remain closed. “churches attract very many people, and we don’t wan’t to take chances, so, for now, churches and mosques will be in talks with the Ministry of Health to decide how best to resume,” he said.

Museveni said it is still so early to open schools that have over 15 million children. The president said he was considerate of the teachers from private schools and promised to pump in shs2b to support them. He said he would talk to the Minister for Finance to see how the teachers from private schools can access loans from the Uganda Development Bank.

Go To Hell

President Museveni warned those trying to riot over the lockdown to go to hell.  He said his government was ready to crush any dissidents trying to cause confusion in the country.

The president didn’t make mention of DJs, funerals, gyms, saunas, and bars. The status quo remains.

Curfew hours extended

President Museveni also extended the curfew hours from 7 pm to 6am to 9.30 pm to 5.30 am. All bodas, the President said must operate between 7 am and 6 pm.