May 18, 2020
Uganda President Museveni`s 14th Nation Address
Measures on easing the lockdown with compulsory wearing of masks : play video from 1:11:10' below :
a). Shops selling general merchandise provided they aren’t in malls or arcades and required to observe social distancing.
b). Market vendors allowed to go home and come back to work.
c). Regulated reopening of public transport I.e buses, mini buses, provided they carry a half (50%) of their normal passenger capacity; except for the border districts of Uganda for another 21 days.
The RIGHT masks will take 2 weeks to be ready hence effective 2 June 2020.
d). Boda bodas and Tuk Tuks will not carry passengers. Only limited to Cargo.
e). Bars, salons, night clubs, gyms, saunas remain closed for another 21 days.
f). International Borders of Uganda and the Airport will remain closed.
g). To reopen schools for final/candidate classes. Only final examinations will be issued. Ministry of Education will need about 2 weeks planning to implement the same.
h). Curfew remains from 6:30am to 7pm for another 21 days.
i). Restaurants and hotels will open as long as they observe social distancing.
j). People with private cars will be allowed to drive as long as they do not exceed three passengers including the driver.
14. All other directives remain operational for the next 21 days
15. Some sectors of the economy like tourism will remain partially shut down.
16. On the issue of Ugandans trapped abroad, these are still part of the banned International travel.
The main factor is the health consideration and risk of the large numbers from abroad without a vaccine and inability to adequately quarantine all for safety.
The ultimate decision will rest upon cabinet.
There will be a transparent policy on how Ugandans in the diaspora who need to be rescued will be handled.