All staff and visitors must now show proof of vaccination to access the National Medical Stores (NMS) premises.

The directive on staff takes effect immediately, while that on visitors comes into effect on Monday, October 18.

In a statement to the media, the NMS Principal Public Relations Officer, Sheila Nduhukire, said that the move is in line with the Government directive to ensure vaccination of all eligible Ugandans as a condition to fully reopen the economy.

“As a government agency mandated to buy, store and distribute medicines (including Covid-19 vaccines), we are leading by example and ensuring that all our staff and visitors coming to our premises are fully vaccinated to comply with the President’s directive on full Covid-19 vaccination. We, therefore, expect all our staff and visitors to comply with these new measures to avoid any inconveniences,' Nduhukire said.

She noted that at the onset of the vaccination exercise, NMS organized vaccination campaigns internally for all staff, casual labourers, cleaners and security guards who consented.

“Management resolved that all individuals who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 should present a Covid-19 negative PCR test result taken not more than 72 hours,' Nduhukire revealed.

She noted that to date, the Government of Uganda has received 5,690,363 Covid-19 doses, of which 2,378,171 doses have been utilized countrywide. At least 2,080,594 are currently being distributed across the country.

“With Covid-19 vaccines now available in the country, we urge all Ugandans to ensure that they receive their Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible; this is the only quickest way to have our entire economy open up, our children go back to school and celebrate together in our various places of worship,', Nduhukire noted.

Several other government officers have recently taken the same move. 

Soroti Resident City Commissioner for instance banned non vaccinated staff and visitors from accessing his office.