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Shift Media News 
By PATRICK JARAMOGI
Kampala, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| On Monday, March 30, 2020, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made his sixth address to the Nation regarding steps to combat the deadly Corona Virus that has so far left 31 Ugandans and two Chinese nationals testing positive. Though his night speech ended on a smooth note with bible quote” ”
“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by,” Isiah 26:20.
The earlier speeches were new drastic measures geared towards combating the global epidemic that has so far infected over 700,000 and killed over 30,000 globally. It is going to be TOUGH TIMES for the next 14 days.
In the new drastic measure, some of which take immediate effect, the country will be on total lockdown for 14 days including a curfew that starts on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 pm.
The President who reminded Ugandans about how the virus spreads said COVID-19 is spread, by sometimes careless and inconsiderate people. “The first mode of transmission is when a sick person sneezes or coughs near you, emitting moisture. The second way of transmission is when an infected individual pollutes surfaces and you touch the same surface and then to your soft openings on the face, that include the eyes, nose, and mouth,” he said.
Museveni said the virus cannot go through normal intact skin of the body. “But it (virus) can attack people with other health complications such as HIV, cancer, diabetes, etc,” he observed.
Museveni reiterated the measures government had already undertaken to contain the spread of the virus, such as earlier closure of schools, bars, places of worship, as well as the suspension of night clubs and bars.
“Ugandan-style” weddings were also suspended, as were public burials, sports events, and music shows. Public transport has also been suspended,” he said.
He said he later went on to suspend all passengers coming into Uganda by air, land or water. “Uganda also prohibited pedestrians from coming into the country from neighboring nations. Cargo aircraft and vehicles were, however, allowed to continue coming through,” he explained.
He said much as he thought these measures would work, it seems not to curb the spread of the virus. “It is better to take the “bitter medicine of maximum restrictions than to regret later,” said Museveni.
He said that the confirmed 33 cases (31 Ugandans & 2 Chinese) most all of them came from Dubai in the ed Arab Emirates (UAE), Europe, USA, and Afghanistan. “Only three received the virus from the importers,” says the President.
Ugandans disobey directives
The President noted that much as public transport was banned, but private vehicles were allowed to operate, but with a maximum of only three occupants, (family members), most Ugandans abused this and instead turned their private cars as taxis to charge exorbitant fees from passengers.
“My officials learnt of gaps caused by some people not obeying the measures and that is why we have come with these new drastic measures.
“After careful consideration, it is better we err on the side of precaution than to repeat the mistakes of the nations that have been greatly affected by the pandemic, said President Museveni.
Museveni noted that currently, as many as 839 individuals are under quarantine. “Even those that are alleged to have escaped quarantine have now come back.”
1) People to people movement banned
The government has banned all people to people movement – in any form of means of transport. This has been done because some private car owners have turned their vehicles into taxis.
“Even if the private car owners abide by the regulations, it would not guarantee the spread of the virus. This ban will take effect starting at10 pm today March 30and will last 14 days (April 12, 2020).”
2) Shopping malls, non-food shops suspended
Shopping malls and arcades have also been suspended for 14 days, said the President. “Additionally, all non-food shops (stores) must also close. Only shops (stores) selling food, agricultural stuff, detergents, and pharmaceuticals should remain open.”
3) Supermarkets to remain open, but following SOPs
The President said that supermarkets should remain open but while following standard operational procedures (SOPs) that should restrict the number of buyers entering at a time. “These Trolleys used by customers can be so deadly in the spread of the virus, so they must also be disinfected, and overcrowding avoided,” he advised.
Museveni also said that established food markets in Kampala (Nakawa, St Balukuddembe, Kalerwe) and other towns should continue to be open. But the square distance of four meters must be observed. Also, the sellers must remain in the market area for 14 days to avoid spreading the virus as they commute from home to the markets.
4) Factory owners should arrange for essential workers to camp within of close for the next 14 days if they cant implement this directive. Others can seek permission from the RDC in liaison with the Medical team to allow on special cases the staff to commute from home
5) Saloons, Garages, and lodges must also be closed.
6) Construction sites should continue if they are able to encamp their workers at the site, if they cant accommodate the workers, they must close for 14 days.
7) Curfew starts at 7 pm on Tuesday
President Museveni ordered that gatherings of more than five people are prohibited. “Also, except for cargo transporters (trains, lorries, pickups, etc), starting on March 31 (Tuesday) at 7 pm, there will be a curfew across the whole of Uganda – and this will last 14 days,” he decreed.
“Take note that the exemption of cargo transporters does not apply to boda bodas and rickshaws (tuk tuks),” he warned.
President Museveni said all government vehicles will be pooled and moved to the district offices to be used for emergency situations. “These vehicles will be under the command of the District Medical Officer to help transport pregnant mothers to hospital,” he said.
8) Government workers should also stay at home for the 14 days, save for security agencies, health workers and a few other workers to be clearly communicated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda later on.
9) Critical services such as telephones, banks, private security, cleaning services, petrol stations, fire bridage, nd some KCCA staff should continue to operate. “URA, UNRA and funeral services should also carry on with operations,” said Museveni.
10) All Cargo transport within Uganda and between Uganda and the outside must continue but only with limited numbers. Lorries must not be more than three occupants. Cargo planes must have only the crew.
11) Government to distribute relief food
Museveni said government measures put in place to curb the coronavirus had put many people out of work, especially those who lead hand-to-mouth livelihoods like the taxi drivers and boda boda riders.
“After properly identifying these people, the government will distribute food to them in the form of maize flour, beans, milk, and sugar,” he said.
12) Warned, Opportunistic politicians” who distribute food to people for “cheap popularity” to stop doing so as they are putting the lives of people at risk of contracting the virus. “Anybody found doing so will be arrested and charged with attempted murder,” he warned. he also warned those individuals who have been gathering sick people and dumping them in hospitals to stop forthwith. “If you have the money hand it over to the task force team for proper coordination. I order the police to arrest any person distributing food to the masses,” he said.
President Museveni reminded Ugandans to stop recklessness and carelessness by observing the three key principles of not sneezing or coughing in public, keeping a stance of 4 meters and washing hands with soap of sanitizing prior to touching the nose, eyes or and mouth.
