Another case is of a security guard from Elegu while another is a health worker. 14 cases were from alerts and contacts of people who have already tested positive.
According to the task force, major supermarkets in Mbale town have failed to adhere to the COVID-19 preventive guidelines such as social distancing and ensuring that their customers and staff wash hands and wear face masks. He listed Bam Shopping Centre, Abrah and Sombe Supermarket.
Herman Ssentongo, the Masaka District COVID-19 task force Chairperson, says that besides sneaking in passengers from the border district, the drivers had overloaded the vehicles. One of the taxis had 13 adults and 4 children while the other was carrying 15 passengers, all believed to be from different areas of Kyotera.
Dr. Monica Musenero, an Epidemiologist and Senior presidential adviser on epidemics, says Uganda is yet to see the worst due to complacency. She says people are no longer afraid of the disease and have abandoned wearing masks and social distancing.
The members have been depositing between 10,000 and 20,000 Shillings a fortnight. According to the Sacco leadership, they had collected up to 40 million Shillings in member’s savings prior to the lockdown. He, however, says the money has now reduced to19 million Shillings .
He was arrested at a police checkpoint in Nwoya district, where he was stopped on Saturday afternoon, for transporting two extra passengers in a minibus registration number UAT 104V contrary to the COVID-19 preventive guidelines.
Now, the masks which had been known to work in surgical, clinical and hospital settings, are seen all over shopping malls, public transport and other mass gatherings. The majority of Ugandans have adopted designs of the African print - Kitenge to make a fashion statement with the facemask.
Mubarack Weere, the Administrator Jinja Regional Referral Hospital told URN that they have officially notified the Health Ministry about the breakdown of their X-ray machine and efforts are underway to repair it soon.
Rogers Mpaji, a taxi driver at Bugerere stage and Defense Secretary at Kalerwe Taxi Park, said passengers are so desperate to board taxis without being mindful of their lives. He said the passengers squeeze themselves at the door as they scramble for the taxis, which exposes them to infection.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the COVID-19 Technical Leader at WHO says the new guidelines on masks should be followed because they offer better protection against COVID-19.
