The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & URN | Forty two districts will be affected by the new directive on public transport announced by President Yoweri Museveni in his address on easing the COVID-19 lock-down.
While public transport will resume but with strict regulations in two weeks time, it will not be allowed to operate in border districts for another 21 days.
Mini-buses, buses, taxis, tuku-tukus can operate provided they carry only a half of their normal capacity.
This was one of 11 measures he outlined to be implemented as the country eases a lock-down that started in March.
Most of the measures would actually take effect in two weeks time, when the free masks government has promised all Ugandans are delivered.
Ugandan commentators have argued about when the measures actually go into effect, and if NYTIL would be able to manufacture enough masks to meet demand in two weeks time.
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NEW MEASURES
✳ 1. Shops selling general merchandize will open provided they are not in the shopping malls, shopping arcades and food markets.
✳ 2. The heroic market women that have slept in the work places for all these days, will be allowed to go home and come back to work daily if they want to.
✳ 3. Public transport will resume but with strict regulations. Mini-buses, buses, taxis, tuku-tukus can operate provided they carry only a half of their normal capacity. Public transport won’t operate in border districts for another 21 days.
✳ 4. Boda bodas won’t carry passengers yet. They should continue to carry cargo as they have been doing during the time of the lock-down.
✳ 5. Bars, night-clubs, gyms, saunas, swimming pools and hair-salons, will stay closed for another 21 days since they cannot easily observe the rules of social distancing.
✳ 6. The International borders of Uganda and the airport will remain closed so that we do not import additional cases from outside.
✳ 7. Education institutions can open but only for finalists/candidate classes. There will be no first-term examinations. Social distancing is a must. Other learners will wait for now.
✳ 8. Curfew from 1900hours until 0630 hours , remains in place for another 21 days.
✳ 9. Food restaurants can open as long as the clients observe social-distancing and there is no air-conditioning which spreads the virus.
✳ 10. People with private cars will be allowed to drive as long as the car does not carry more than 3 people, including the driver.
✳ 11. All the other restrictions will remain in place for 21 days.
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1.Boda bodas are carrying out business as usual in most parts of Tororo District, they load more than one passenger and charge them exorbitantly, in my view they should just allow them transport passengers. 2. Cases of COVI-19 are have not escalated within the communities at border Districts why then should Government exclude the movement of public transport in those areas? How will candidates travel to and out of the Districts? 3. Since it will be mandatory to we wear masks and parents who have candidates will be taking them back to school using private cars, then government should permit 4 passengers instead of three i.e those with seating capacity of five.
Thxs president u really fight 4mi life,but now Mr President hw will students in bordering districts go back to school without transport
Bodabodas should only work outside the city
Apart from the cities, boda bodas would be allowed to carry one passenger. These people have been patient enough.
mr. president continue with your spirit, and we will think about you in future which is not far.
continue fighting for the life of your people
but as my collick has said how will the student in the bordering will go back to respective schools?
will the bordering 42 districts schools open if yes; how will they travel to schools
Oh Mr president, you are helping to care for the people but me who is a private school teacher who is a sole provider for my four children, my old parents and my four brothers and a sister, am almost giving up in life so that u come and care for those one I may leave behind, help me please Mr president.
I love you m7
Thanks for fighting for us Mr president
Better give one week to all people who were in the city but can do something much better in their varries villages to go even me am stuck here in city they gave mi leave without payment