Uganda bans all public transport for two weeks to battle coronavirus as eight-month-old baby girl tests positive for the deadly bug
The President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday announced a 14-day ban on public transport to curb the spread of the coronavirus after the number of confirmed cases jumped to 14, including an eight-month-old baby girl.
Speaking to Ugandans in a televised address, Mr Museveni said the ban would take effect immediately, and would affect buses, taxis, and every other form of transportation, including the notorious “boda-bodas”, the local name for the motorcycle taxis.
Museveni said private cars will only be allowed to carry three passengers including the driver. In addition, overcrowded markets will only be allowed to sell food.
BBC reported that “with news that some Ugandans who have never left the country are now contracting the virus, authorities want to limit movement within towns and between regions.”
Last week, Mr Museveni announced the closure of all schools, bars, cinemas and banned public gatherings for 32 days.
“Public transport workers are a powerful political constituency, numbering tens of thousands in the capital, and the president is often careful not to impose restrictions on them. It might explain why this suspension is only for two weeks,” the report said.
Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.
