Ugandans want the 50 day lock-down lifted

By; Jjunju Francis

18^th May 2020

As countries, especially around the world slowly emerge from the Strict lockdown that started in March 2020 over the spread of COVID-19, Ugandans are waiting for the Presidential address on this evening as the third 14 day lockdown comes to an end.

President Yoweri Museveni ordered for the closure of all teaching institutions on March 20th, followed by the suspension of all works, including worship places for 32 days on March 30th, followed by the first 14 days, followed by 21 days and now the 14 days of lockdown except for a few essential workers, cargo transport and markets selling food stuffs.

There had confusion over the presidential address right from the state house, showing that he will deliver his address on Tuesday, but later the Senior Presidential press secretary, Don Wanyama said that President Museveni would be addressing the country on Monday (May 18) evening on the government’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19.

His address comes as the country’s case number increased to 248 from 227 after 21 news cases were reported by the ministry of health.

The new cases were confirmed from 1,071 samples from various points of entry into the country that is; Elegu, Mutukula and Malaba points According to Dr Henry Mwebesa, the director general of Health Services at the ministry.

Even the earlier case number of COVID-19 cases in the country that raised the numbers to 227 came after 24 people tested positive for the virus on Saturday out of 2,044 samples that were tested at both the Mutukula boarder point using the Genexpert machines and Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).

The address has to reflect resolutions from the Cabinet meeting that will agree on a way forward as 14-day lockdown extension comes to an end. No one knows whether he will tighten or loosen on the restrictions.