Effective Monday, December 13, 2021, unvaccinated staff and visitors will not be allowed entry into the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development.

In an internal memo to staff dated December 1, 2021, from the Secretary to Treasury Ramadhan Ggoobi noted that the Government through the Ministry of Health instituted strict measures/Standard Operating Procedures (SoP’s) to the public aimed at prevention and control of the spread of Covid-19 which had been communicated from time to time.

Ggoobi noted that in addition to the SoPs, a vaccination drive commenced and is being undertaken across the country aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.

“Vaccination not only protects an individual but also protects those in the community around him/her including the work environment. It has been observed globally that some members of the public are hesitant to take on the vaccine due to misinformation and the myths associated with culture and social norms among others. That notwithstanding, it is important to note that Covid-19 is a deadly disease, and being vaccinated against it is an effective countermeasure,” Ggoobi said.

He noted that over time, the ministry had encouraged all staff to get vaccinated including carrying out vaccinations at the Ministry premises.

“Officers who have not been vaccinated are required to ensure that they are vaccinated as soon as possible,” Ggoobi directed.

He also directed all staff to present vaccination cards at the main gate as a pre-requisite for accessing the Ministry premises.

“By copy of the Internal Memo, the Under Secretary Administration is directed to ensure compliance to the above requirement with the effect from December 13, 2021,” Ggoobi said.

He further directed staff to continue observing SoPs for the prevention of the spread of Covid-19.

Last week, the Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng noted she would be laying in Parliament a Bill that would make it mandatory for one to be vaccinated. The law is supposed to be tabled in Parliament this week.

The Ministry of Finance would not be the first to ban unvaccinated staff and visitors from entering their premises. Others that have done so include the National Medical Stores and several other government offices.

On Monday, the Uganda Human Rights Commission supported the move by the Minister of Health to introduce the bill on compulsory vaccination.  

UHRC noted that the Bill would not infringe on anybody's right but rather it was reckless for one to claim his rights would be violated when compulsorily vaccinated because they also risked the lives of others.