Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a National Address on COVID-19. Image source: @lindahNabusayi
When Churches across Uganda ushered in 2021 after nearly 6 months of closure last year, no pastors expected their sanctuary doors to still be closed again, as the country registered remarkable response to COVID-19.
Those projections are quickly changing much as the country managed to contain the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths registered during the second wave fuelled by five different virus variants in June.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced Friday in a televised address that the nation will not resume in-person worship services for another 60 days to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.
“Places of worship were closed. This should be maintained…, and will be reviewed after another 60 days,” Mr Museveni said.
“Alternative means of worship i.e. online, radio and TVs are instead encouraged. A maximum of 10 leaders are allowed to lead the virtual prayers,” he added.
For much of the pandemic, church reopening plans in Uganda have shifted month to month or week to week, depending on regulations and local outbreaks. This year alone, places of worship were first closed for 42 days starting June 7, 2021.
President Museveni said Friday cases are projected to reduce to about 66 new cases per day by 28 days after partially easing the lockdown.
“It is therefore important to ensure that there is strict observance of SoPs within the partial lockdown period so as to curb the spread of the virus,” he said.
He further explained that taxis will resume operation 2nd August at half capacity to facilitate public movement. He said malls, shopping arcades and ‘Kikubo’ should be opened with strict adherence to SOPs, but all kiosks be removed to reduce congestion in the pathways.
While curfew time remains (1900hrs to 0530 hrs), Mr Museveni said employers should only allow 20% of office workers to facilities, while private vehicles are allowed to cross district borders with only three people.
“Schools remain closed. Learning should continue virtually until vaccine is found for learners and members of the teaching staff,” Museveni added. “Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health should meet.”
Review of the second Lockdown measures.
- Burials were restricted to a maximum of 20 people: This should be maintained until the population is sufficiently vaccinated.
- Weddings were restricted to a maximum of 20 people: This should be maintained until the population is sufficiently vaccinated.
- Places of worship were closed: This should be maintained as closed and will be reviewed after another 60 days. Alternative means of worship i.e. online, radio and TVs are instead encouraged. A maximum of 10 leaders are allowed to lead the virtual prayers.
- Outdoor sports events were allowed with restrictions: The International and local accredited sports events are allowed under strict observance of SOPs (no spectators, mandatory testing of players and 25 officials within 72 hours of the event).
- Outdoor individual sport activities are allowed under strict observance of SOPs. Indoor sports activities including gyms, pool tables remain closed.
- Gaming and betting remain closed.
- Casinos, theaters and Cinemas including ‘Biband’ are to main closed. Performing artistes, concerts and comedians are advised to perform virtually. These measures shall be reviewed after 42 days.
- Bars remain closed and the enforcement agencies are directed to arrest and charge both revellers and owners who breach this directive.
- Restaurants were allowed to operate under strict observance of SOPs :These should remain open under strict observance of SOPs.
- Salons were allowed to operate under strict observance of SOPs: These should be opened under strict observance of SOPs and guidelines.
- Saunas and Steam bath were closed. These should remain closed.
- All schools were closed: These will remain closed until sufficient vaccination of the eligible population and children aged 12-18 years old has taken place. The Ministry of Education and Sports/ National Council for Higher Education and Ministry of Health should meet and plan for the possibility of a safe reopening of medical schools. Learning should continue virtually. Ministry of Education and Sports will provide learning materials to learners
- Reduction to 10% of Non-core staff in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)and other formal sectors. i.e.lawyers, auditors etc. MDAs and other formal sectors may operate at a maximum of 30% in a rotational manner. MDAs and other formal sectors must have compliance officers to enforce SOPs.
- Inter-District travel by private vehicles was banned but registered Private vehicles are now allowed to move across district borders carrying a maximum of 3 persons including the driver.
- Tourists’ vehicles were allowed to move: Registered tourists’ vehicles should continue to move to their destinations and designated places. Enforcement agencies and the task forces at all levels to ensure compliance. Ministry of Health should on a bi-weekly basis flag the high-risk districts for restrictive control actions.
- Movement in and out of the country through the airport was allowed: Entebbe International Airport will remain open. Ministry of Health, Immigration services, Port health and other Agencies of Government to ensure compliance to the existing guidelines such as testing, isolation etc. PDF medical services are directed to oversee the management of COVID-19 screening processes at Entebbe International Airport leading to secure entry and exit. Online visa management systems be maintained.
- Movement of cargo trucks through the land border points of entry was allowed: Cargo trucks are still allowed to move in and out of the country with a maximum of two people (driver and turn man). Drivers should possess a negative COVID-19 test result and be allowed to move.
- Public transport was banned: Public transport will open at strictly 50% capacity effective Monday, 2nd August 2021. This will be reviewed every after 2 weeks. Taxi and bus owners’ associations must ensure adherence to this directive by their members as part of self-regulation by the appropriate associations. There must be no air conditioning in all public transport. There must be strict adherence to the detailed SOPs and guidelines as laid out by Ministry of Works and Transport. The Public Transport Associations are directed to regulate themselves. Failure to comply, this directive will be reversed to the earlier position.
- Food Markets were open: These should remain open but maintain strict observance of SOPs.
- Seasonal markets were closed. These should remain closed.
- Conferences, workshops and seminars were banned. These remain banned except with explicit permission from the Ministry of Health and related MDAs.
